A Mother's Sacrifice

Matthew 16.24-25

I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,

to present your bodies as a living sacrifice,

holy and acceptable to God,

which is your spiritual worship.

Last week, I was at my wits end.  I couldn't handle Jacob any longer when it came to sleep time.  I found myself getting anxious, wondering whether or or not he would fall asleep and how long it would take. I feared 8 o'clock.  But, through a series of pleas to friends, books and a whole lot of prayer, I have discovered something. 

A mother must sacrifice for the well-being of her child.  My mom scratched my back (and Ashley's) EVERY night before bed.  She was a single mom, who had absolutely no time to herself, but yet she took this time every night to bond, help us to sleep and make us feel safe.  I love her for that.  She sacrificed everything-her life, her time, and her energy. 

A few of the books on how to get your kids to sleep, miss one very key element:  a child's feeling of security.  They tell you to let them cry it out.  They also tell you to wait 10-15 minutes before tending to your crying baby just to see if they can put themselves back to sleep.  There seems to be something wrong with this.  Who is some random Dr to tell my NOT to rock and cuddle with my baby?  It honestly makes me furious.  We did this theory with Connor (to some degree).  To this day, he still cries EVERY SINGLE TIME WE LEAVE THE ROOM.  He's scared.  I regret that decision every night when I leave him.  He's unsecure in his sleep.  Scared of the boogeyman or just in fear that we will leave him alone if he needs us.  So, we've been trying to back-track with him by laying with him until he falls asleep.  

So, obviously, we tried this theory with Jacob.  He sure taught me a lesson.  He wants to be held and it only takes 10 minutes usually to get him to fall asleep now.  We have to sway back and forth, but he loves it.  It's the best feeling when his head falls on my shoulder as if to say "Thanks Mom for loving me."  It's such a special moment.  And while he may not be sleeping through the night, he sleeps well when he is asleep and feels safe and secure.  He's peaceful, which is exactly what I want.  Ditching my plan has also allowed me to step back and take a big picture look at Jacob as a person. He likes to fall asleep later, nap more during the day, have his room pitch black dark, have white noise, and snuggle before bed. Pretty much everything books I've read said not to do. 

*I am not in any way judging anyone who uses these methods in getting their kids to sleep. If it works for you -awesome! I have had to just figure out what works best for our family....all kids are different as Jacob has recently taught me.

My friend Jenn offered up this great piece of advice:  use the time at night for my own prayer time; pray for our family, friends, or just spend time alone with God, thanking him for such a beautiful gift. 

Thank you Jesus for this precious gift.  Thank you for opening my eyes to being the mom you want me to be.  Please continue to help James and I learn Jacob and him learn us.  Please help us to learn to sacrifice for our children the way you sacrificed for us.  Amen. 

Connor's BIG Birthday Weekend

This is primarily going to be all pictures, but I will give you brief description of the weekend. We decided not to do one big party since we don't really know many people with kids here. We started the celebration on Friday night with The Kirklin Family.  Connor and Amber get along great and are even rumored to be boyfriend and girlfriend (it amazes me that even 2 year olds know how to flirt).  We then headed to Dallas to meet up with our best Wichita Falls friends the Keilens and Pellegrins (minus Andrew).  We also got to spend lots of time with Grandpa Joe and Karin. Connor did not know that Jude Pellegrin was coming, so it was an amzazing surprise. The moment they saw each other brought both Jenn and I to tears.  It was such a happy moment.  Connor shouted "JUDE!" then ran to him and gave him a BIG hug.  I love seeing Connor so happy. It was a pretty awesome weekend...but the celebration is not over yet.  There will be a big fish fry next Friday with the Schultz family!

Connor & Amber eating birthday dinner.

Blowing out his 2 candle! 

Opening his present from Amber.  Markers & a coloring book.

The first night in Dallas, we all met up with Grandpa Joe and Karin at Uncle Julio's.  It was delicious! 

Grandpa Joe and Karin check out Jacob. 

Brooke & Matt.   

Opening his presents from us:  Wall-E and Mater's Tall Tales

Me & the birthday boy! 

Jude & Connor playing hide & seek 

"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!" 

Brooke with the little monkeys.  

My amazing Wichita Falls friends.  I love you guys so much.

Jacob

Well, it's time I started posting about our little baby boy Jacob!  I took him in last week for his 2 month check up (yes, a month late) and he is already 12 lbs.  He is a super sweet baby and is perfectly content as long as he's fed and changed.  He is great at playing by himself.  I've tried multiple times to get a picture of his sweet smile, but he saves it up and takes it away once the camera comes out.  He talks a LOT and has some pretty heart melting coos. 

The only kink to all of the sweetness is that this little monster comes out around 8 pm.  We've done the same things we did with Connor for the pre-bed time ritual and Jacob is not picking up the hints.  The Dr diagnosed him with mild colic (which I'm starting to think it's more that he's stubborn).  Once he starts crying at 8 pm, it usually goes off and on until 11.  It's more frustrating though, because he's so easy during the day.  I mean really.  I can lay him down for a nap and he instantly falls asleep.  It's almost too easy.  I also just want him to be better.  The endless crying makes me feel so helpless.  I just wish I knew what I could do for him! 

Anyway, here are a few current pictures of the sweet baby boy!

Blowing bubbles at me!

Sammy LOVES Jacob. 

Jacob and Sammy Kirklin

(Connor and Sammy's big sis Amber are also only a few months apart!)

Bath time in our hotel sink during Connor's b-day weekend.

This is a typical look of his.  Pretty funny!

Connor is Almost 2!

I had a post at the same time last year, when Connor was turning one.  I am in awe of how much this boy has grown in just one year.  To put it into perspective, here are a few pics to remind you of what he looked like at this time last year:

In just one year, he has evolved from the baby babbling, drunken sailor walking, beep beep loving baby into a sentence stringing, running/climbing/jumping, truck/car/train/plane loving BOY. I am so amazed at all this year has brought. 

He has gone from hating his teeth being brushed, to letting me brush them for at least 30 seconds (as long as we count it out!).  He now knows how to count to at least 12 (sometimes more) and is starting to grasp his ABCs.  He loves coloring in his coloring books (thank you Crayola for making Color Wonder Markers & Paper!), reading truck books, and watching car videos on youtube with his Daddy.  Another favorite is Skyping with all of our friends and family:  Mimi, Megan, Nana & Papa, and Brooke & Matt.

He has progressed from his crib, toddler bed and is now in an official "big boy bed."  He has stopped saying "beep beep" and now says "truck."  He knows how to hold my  hand when we're on a street or in a parking lot.  He recently loves to cuddle in bed before he falls asleep because he's afraid of the "scary man" (which I think is just code for mom-hold me).  He still loves Broccoli (but it has to be roasted), hot dogs and cheese, but has changed into loving chocolate milk (thanks James for that introduction). 

He has moved on from just loving one movie (Cars) to a whole multitude:  Toy Story (1-3), Finding Nemo, and Thomas the Train.  He has also become a BIG BROTHER and is amazing.  He really, really loves Jacob and I'm pretty sure he's ready for Jacob to get up and run with him already.  He has gone from the diaper wearing, almost potty trained boy.  He is currently learning how to hold it and when to head to the potty. 

Basically, a whole lot of growth has happened this year.  I love my boy so much-I am still in shock that he is TWO! 

James Knows his Bride

So, do you ever wish that your husband picked up on the random things you wanted?  I often don't realize it, but James does-every single time.  Case and point:  Birthday:  he got me a camera.  I thought it would never happen because they are so expensive, but he made a way.  Christmas:  a new North Face jacket. I always wore his because mine was purple and old, so he got me a new one.  "Just because":  a new water bottle w/ straw (because I've been trying to increase my water intake).

The point of this is that it's not what he gives, it's the fact that he picks up on my wants and desires.  The fact that he's intune with me and my desires.  He's so stinking good at it! 

I have mentioned a few times that a tea pot would be nice (for those random times I make tea or hot chocolate) and that some day I would like to get one.  Well, James picked up on it, and voila!  Another wonderful, thoughtful gift from my husband. 

His gift from me?  Well, since I know him well, I am not spending any money.  Mine is simple:  a clean house, a great dinner, and possibly some non frumpy pajamas.

Happy Valentines' Day!

True Bible Study

I had this random thought tonight...how many Bible studies actually study the Bible?  All too often, I think we go for the touchy, feely, insightful stuff, but in some ways, we're missing the point.  The TRUTH is is the Word, and by avoiding the Word, aren't we giving the devil what he wants?  We tried yet another church this Sunday and they were going through the book of Isaiah.  He preached Chapter 42.  Here is what made me think of this:

"This is what God the Lord says-
he who created the heavens and
stretched them out
who spread out the earth and all
that comes out of it
who gives breath to its people
and life to those who walk in it
I the Lord, have called you in
righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand,
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison,
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkess."

How can we do any one of these things if we are so focused on ourselves?  The focus should be taken away from you and should be placed first, in Christ, and second into serving others as a reflection of our love for Christ.

James FINI Flight

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