The Naked Pirate

I was reading my Bible a couple of mornings ago, when Benjamin jumped on my bed and screamed, "Ahoy, I'm a naked pirate."  And he certainly was. Aside from a small bandana tied around his "tail", a pirate hat, and a sword, he was naked. I laughed out loud. 

Benjamin pushes my limits, revealing my own sin. We are so much alike. And yet, he is wildly creative, making ways for me to laugh like I have never before. It will be amazing to see how God uses his determination, his passion, and his creativity for His glory.

Rapid Firsts

I think we can all agree it goes too fast. So when we were walking out the door Sunday morning and Caleb began screaming because Benjamin had tied a ribbon to his tooth and it flew into our Christmas tree - lost to no avail, it was just another morning at our house. Of course, we relished in two days of grieving over a truly lost tooth and scanning the floor with a giant flashlight, but I wouldn't trade it.

With the boys being so close together, I feel like we celebrate a new first everyday - the tooth was with a lunch at McDonald's, Daniel's first steps last week were with music and guitar, Benjamin going in the potty is with a trip to the McWane Center, and then today I realized Caleb's most important one went unmentioned. Yesterday was his one year anniversary of knowing Jesus. Over the last months, it's often him who reminds me that I'm not hopeless, and that Jesus has forgiven me. He's the one on his knees, grieving over his sin, wanting to look at his Bible to learn more about God. What an honor it is to be his mommy.

Check it out!

I know I'm not the best blogger, but I am doing a daily advent devotional blog. If you have a chance, check it out:

www.adventsbeginnings.blogspot.com

My Shameless Plug - Take Two

Okay, I know I am bad. But I am renewing my blogging vow on numerous levels. Benjamin had a wonderful day at the doctor, and now my house is silent for the first time in 14 months -  thanks to my grandparents! But today I want to plug my dad's new line at Hibbett's and Bama Fever. Check out his website at www.pluckedprints.com. Jamie is the hand model, and Ben, my brother-in-law, is the elephant. What good looking men we have in our family! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Praise God He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities! We're so blessed!

My Shameless Plug

Tender Mercies of God

It's been a rich summer. Though we've entered the world of doctors and testing again for a season, God has met us and renewed our hearts in the sweetest ways. These pictures are from yesterday. Benjamin had a colonoscopy, an endoscopy and some bloodwork done at Children's. Things looked good, and we'll get the biopsies back next week.

Of course, Jamie and Benjamin wore their Superman outfits. Benjamin became panicky when we entered the room, but of all the rooms, God had chosen to put a Thomas car in ours- our favorite. There was not another Thomas car around. That was all it took. I began thinking about how God delights in showing His tenderness towards us as children, as parents, as individuals, no matter where we are and however dark things seem.

Covenant Children

Okay, so I'm working through the year slightly backwards. Daniel was baptized in April. I'm aware of the continual debate over infant baptism, but the longer I am in the PCA denomination, the more I am certain that one of the most humbling moments is when your child is baptized, and your congregation and family commits to being this child's covenant family. Jamie and I are completely unable to do this journey of parenting on our own, but that is why the body of Christ comes alongside of us. When I was visiting with Kerry Brothers a few weeks ago, she was telling me of how she continually presses upon her children that they are God's covenant children. How precious! We asked our sweet friend Robby to baptize Daniel. When he prayed he asked God to strengthen Daniel to go and do whatever the Father would have him to do for His kingdom - no matter what the cost. He prayed for us to have to courage as parents to encourage him in this path. I've think about that prayer often when I hold Daniel, and I praise God for enabling Robby to deepen our vision for Daniel's life. I also think of the opening and closing lines of the hymn "Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken"..."Jesus, I my cross have taken, all to leave and follow Thee. Destitute, despised, forsaken, Thou from hence my all shall be", and then the closing's promise..."Hope shall change to glad fruition, faith to sight and prayer to praise."

Our Crazy Crew!

So we were running late to the homeschool co-op I teach at, and I, of course, was showing all my righteousness by hollering at everyone to get in the car. Suddenly, Benjamin emerged from the bathroom, "I'm an Indian, Mommy." What can you do but laugh. The permanent brown marker stayed on his face for a good week.

Daniel's first two teeth finally popped through this last week, and he's started the army crawl. He makes the entire family smile every day with his sweet disposition.

Aunt Leah's Birthday

One of our favorite parts of this year was Aunt Leah and Uncle Ben moving back to Birmingham after living in Virginia! We got to celebrate Leah's birthday and help blow out her candles. Though the boys love Leah, they really love attacking Uncle Ben and defeating him. And of course, when our Superman shirts are dirty, we have to wear our Alabama team shirts.

Just Like Big Brother

When you ask Benjamin what he wants to be when he grows up, he says, "Big Brother." Anything Caleb does, Benjamin studies him for a bit, and then attempts the same feat. Though we have days where we try to bash one another's head in with a bat or lock one another in a dark bathroom, the boys are reaching a relationship where they enjoy one another, which is one thing Jamie and I have prayed for. It's also one of the reasons we've kept them home with us up until now. When out, Caleb is determined to stay at Benjamin side. One day I asked him about it, and he said, "But Mommy, no one understands Benjamin like me, and I have to protect him." That was what I was thankful for that night.

Whirlwinds

Okay, so I'm not the best blogger, but Jamie has requested I give it a steady shot this summer. It was a whirlwind semester, but we are experiencing God's grace in amazing ways. Caleb began his relationship with Jesus, we moved into a new home, we had school, life, and all the other things that go along with that. Monday was seven years for us, and today is Caleb's 5th birthday. As I see Jesus more in my home, my children, and Jamie, I stand amazed that God uses me. Here's a hodgepodge of fun pics!

Back to the Real World

We're back! The last month and a half has been incredibly insane, fun, and such a blessing. Because of my stage of life, I don't have 10 whole minutes to sit and update you all, so I will do it a nugget at a time. Just pretend to relive it all with me.

The Tuesday after Thanksgiving I was leaving work with the boys. I teach English at a homeschool co-op 6 hours a week. Anyway, suddenly a very loud alarm began sounding at Mountain Book Community Church, where we meet. Benjamin slyly smiled at me and said, "I pulled the red button, Mommy."

In return, Caleb giggled and replied, "He did it just like I did at Leah's wedding, Mommy."

Needless to say, the students we very proud of my boys as they were able to escape school early.

These pictures are from the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Daddy is doing a painting of the boys. Check out his website at www.donnyfinley.com