Ethan

Last Friday we visited Newport Aquarium again. Ethan enjoyed seeing the first tank of fish and said "Wow" a few times, but honestly, the most fun he seemed to have was pushing his own stroller. Good thing he still gets in free to places....

Thursday's Thought

Okay, so again, Thursday's Thought has not been posted on Thursday. I actually typed something out on Thursday, but decided against posting it. I wanted a little more time to tweak it.

If you remember from last week, I said I would continue talking about children and parenting. I'm in the middle of reading Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I just finished reading the chapter on children and I really appreciated all she had to say. I wish I could just put the entire chapter here on the blog, but I can't so I recommend reading it for yourself.

Her main point is that children are a blessing from God and should be seen as such. She also talks about the enormous responsibility of parenting and how motherhood is the highest calling. Christian parents should be seeking to raise godly sons and daughters.

Mark and I talk extensively about how we want to raise our children. We are a team, we discuss everything (even what to pack for Ethan's lunch), and we make all of our decisions together. We recognize that Ethan is not ours, rather he belongs to God. God has simply entrusted him to us as his earthly parents. We know we will one day be held accountable for the way in which we raise Ethan and our other children. That's not something we take lightly. And unfortunately, that means that others will not always agree with our decisions. (Can we say Santa Claus anyone?)

It's okay with me if people disagree with what Mark and I decide. However, it is very difficult to feel as if I am always being judged and criticized on our parenting. No one prepared me for that part of motherhood! And within the last two weeks I've had conversations with other 'newer' moms who feel the way I do...that they are always being watched, criticized, judged, and talked about behind their back.

It's frustrating. And the truth of the matter is there is nothing I can do about it. I can't control how people will respond to certain things. But what I can control is my reaction to them. I am very sensitive and my feelings are hurt very easily. I worry too much about what other people will say, not only to me, but to other people when I'm not around.

I can't and won't keep doing that.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Colossians 3:1-2

Halloween

Here are some pictures of Ethan from Halloween. He was dressed as a cowboy, but the hat didn't last too long. Mostly because it was too small. Imagine that...

And let me just say that I admire all photographers who work with kids. We have the hardest time getting Ethan to look at the camera. It seems that as soon as we get it out, he turns away, cries, runs away, anything but look at the camera and smile.

Ethan's First Haircut

Yesterday while we were at the aquarium Ethan was called a girl yet again. I can't tell you how many times within the last three weeks he has been mistaken for a girl. (Do people not look at the clothes he's wearing???) Anyway, he does have pretty hair, maybe too pretty for a boy. It's blonde with some awesome curls, but I admit I am tired of him being mistaken for a little girl.

So after breakfast this morning, I looked at Mark and said, "I think I can trim his hair." This is where Mark should have stopped me, but he didn't. We took off Ethan's shirt, got a towel, scissors, trimmers, comb, and water bottle and I got busy trimming off little curls. Everything was going fine until I accidentally went a little too far with the scissors and cut a chunk out of his left side. Talk about feeling guilty and wanting to cry! I have ruined my son's hair and probably his life.

Okay, maybe not his life, but I am deeply afraid now of people making fun of him or me. (Please save all your comments for when I'm not around!) Overall, his hair looks fine and it's not that noticeable. I mean, it's only hair and it will grow back so it's not the end of the world. But as his mom and the one responsible for the haircut, I still feel guilty.

At least now he won't be called a girl....

Pictures to come later today!

Thursday's Thought

Modeling

Yes, I know, Thursday's Thought is being posted on Friday morning. I was off work yesterday (and today) so I spent the day hanging out with Ethan, not thinking much about the computer. But I do have a quick thought I'd like to share.

After Ethan's nap yesterday I gave him a little milk and graham crackers for his snack. He dropped his cup on the floor, spilling a bit of milk on the floor. He carefully picked up his cup, set it on the couch, then walked into the kitchen. I was having fun watching him and trying to figure out what he was going to do next. Then he pointed to the napkins we have sitting on the counter. So I got up, handed him a napkin, and he walked back into the living room. He then bent over, wiped up his milk, and threw away his napkin in the garbage can. How amazing is that? I was so in awe that I started to cry.

Mark and I have been teaching Ethan how to clean up after himself. He throws away his diapers, he knows where to put his dirty clothes, he puts books back on the shelf, and he helps us straighten his toys. But we have never really taught him to get a napkin and wipe up spilled milk. Then it dawned on me...he must have learned that through watching us.

That's the part of parenting that scares me a little...okay, a lot. Ethan will model the behavior he sees Mark and I display. No pressure, huh?

I have a few more thoughts on this subject, but that will have to wait until next week. Some of my thoughts will come from the book The Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free if you're interested in reading it.

Today we are enjoying time together as a family by visiting the Newport Aquarium again. We're hoping to actually see the penguins this time!

Enjoy the weekend!

Thursday's Thought

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

This Saturday is Halloween, just in case you live under a rock or haven't visited a Walmart lately. Mark and I were talking earlier this week about our Halloween memories. Neither of us remember many of our costumes. And we definitely have had different trick or treating experiences! I grew up in Meade county, a smaller, more rural county south of where we live now so instead of walking from house to house, we drove all over the county collecting candy from friends and family!

As a kid, I didn't know about the origin of Halloween. It was never a 'dark' holiday for us. It was just a time to have fun, dress up, and eat candy. Now that I'm a little older and wiser and have a son of my own, I wondered if we should even participate in Halloween. I asked Mark if, as Christians, should we allow our children to celebrate this holiday.

Before your head explodes and you claim our son is deprived, Ethan is dressing up as a cowboy so we are celebrating Halloween and will continue to do so with future children. However, we will have rules in our house. There will be no scary or 'dark' costumes, only fun ones. And at the appropriate age, we will explain to him the origin of Halloween so he is aware of the truth behind it. We will also explain that as Christians we are to be the light of the world, not live in darkness and participate in superstitious beliefs.

One article I read expressed it well:

There's another option open to Christians: limited, non-compromising participation in Halloween. There's nothing inherently evil about candy, costumes, or trick-or-treating in the neighborhood. In fact, all of that can provide a unique gospel opportunity with neighbors. Even handing out candy to neighborhood children--provided you're not stingy--can improve your reputation among the kids. As long as the costumes are innocent and the behavior does not dishonor Christ, trick-or-treating can be used to further gospel interests.

As with everything we do, we should seek to glorify and honor Christ and spread His message. And, if done properly, we can even do that through Halloween.....

What do you think?

Fall Festival

Yesterday was our church's fall festival. We took Ethan out to enjoy the games and food and we had a good time despite the windy, chilly weather. Ethan was all decked out in green including a brand new John Deere hat given to him by Papa Dave. The hat is actually a youth size, not toddler, so it fits his head and even has the ear flaps.

Isn't he cute?

Thanks to everyone for voting on a name! I'm actually considering having another vote closer to the due date and including the real name we have picked out. Although I'm really starting to like Amos...seriously.

In other pregnancy news, I've started having those silly Braxton Hicks contractions again. (I'm having one right now as I type this sentence.) They started last Sunday while I was sitting in church and they came every five to six minutes for most of the afternoon. I had them off and on throughout the week at work as well. Some of them actually hurt, but for the most part it's just uncomfortable and annoying. I'm not too concerned since this happened with Ethan and everything was fine with him. I think Mark is a little agitated that I'm being stubborn and won't call the doctor. But they are just going to tell me to rest and who has time for that? :)

And did anyone do anything Saturday to help make a difference? I hope that you did and I hope that you think about that throughout this coming week.

Also, my husband has a website and this morning he said some pretty awesome things about being a Christian. I really liked what he said and if you get a chance, you should read it.