Wow - it's been 8 years since our wedding day, about 10 years since we first started "dating". Since I lived in Ohio and Damon lived here in AZ, everything was over the phone and by letters at first, so I guess that is not really dating! What a special time it was though. A beautiful, picture-perfect wedding - little did I know that marriage doesn't always follow a storybook plot! I am so thankful for the husband God gave me. I am thankful that he loves the Lord and wants to follow after Him, and that he wants to raise our boys to be Godly men. I'm thankful for his dry sense of humor and how he can make me laugh. I'm even thankful for the differences because they drive me to the Lord. Even in the times that were difficult in our marriage, God proved Himself so faithful to carry us through. I look forward to see what He does the next eight years! It is a small picture, but can you guess who that adorable flower girl is? Hint . . . she attends Calvary Chapel Surprise!
Happy Anniversary!
Celebrating with friends
We went to the Surprise Park today with the Home Educators of Surprise group for an Egg Hunt and fun fellowship. As we were late, our friend Josiah hid eggs for Aaron for a private egg hunt and he was happy with that. I think that I posted that we are doing the Resurrection Eggs this year, and that has been interesting! The first day was a donkey, and since Aaron loves animals that was a big hit. I think he is disappointed that it isn't an animal each day, but we are having fun. He runs around and plays, but I think it is still a good thing for him to see us come together as a family to learn about God. At the start of each time he wants to sing The B-I-B-L-E song - I've got to get this on video! It is really a blessing to be a mom and I am so very thankful.
Tired of the tv
I always am feeling guilty that I think Aaron spends too much time watching tv or on the computer. This morning he wasn't up more than five minutes before he was begging to watch tv. In a pinch to find something fun for him to do while I took care of a few things I put out the sifter with some flour on a piece of poster board. They both had a good time, and it wasn't that hard to clean up. Afterwards they played in the tub together which was so fun. We still ended up watching some tv this morning, but at least a little less than usual. Now we are off to go see the horses at the boarding stables around the corner from our house to meet our Cousin Jason and Auntie Elsa. It's always a free fun time!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
The extent of our celebration is that I accidentally dressed the boys in green, then later was reminded that today is St. Patrick's Day. Here is a little bio of Patrick from Christianity Today:
First, a few misconceptions about Patrick:
Patrick isn't really a Saint with a capital S, having never been officially canonized by Rome. And Patrick couldn't have driven the snakes out of Ireland because there were never any snakes there to begin with. He wasn't even the first evangelist to Ireland (Palladius had been sent in 431, about five years before Patrick went). Patrick isn't even Irish. He's from what's now Dumbarton, Scotland (just northwest of Glasgow).
Patrick was 16 years old in about the year 405, when he was captured in a raid and became a slave in what was still radically pagan Ireland. Far from home, he clung to the religion he had ignored as a teenager. Even though his grandfather had been a priest, and his father a town councilor, Patrick "knew not the true God." But forced to tend his master's sheep in Ireland, he spent his six years of bondage mainly in prayer. He escaped at the suggestion of a dream and returned home.
Patrick was in his mid-40s when he returned to Ireland. Palladius had not been very successful in his mission, and the returning former slave replaced him. Intimately familiar with the Irish clan system (his former master, Milchu, had been a chieftain), Patrick's strategy was to convert chiefs first, who would then convert their clans through their influence. Reportedly, Milchu was one of his earliest converts.
Though he was not solely responsible for converting the island, Patrick was quite successful. He made missionary journeys all over Ireland, and it soon became known as one of Europe's Christian centers. This, of course, was very important to fifth-century Christians, for whom Ireland was one of the "ends of the earth."
Crafts and Easter Fun
I am trying to get Aaron interested in crafts - but like his mother he just isn't that into it! He did have a little fun with this project though, and even Ben got into the action. I am so excited that we are going to start doing our Resurrection Eggs tonight! This will be our first year and I am looking forward to it. Also, on Thursday we are going to an Egg Hunt with our friends the Harrells, so that will also be part of the celebrating! I am really trying to spend time this week really contemplating the Passion and Jesus' choice to go to the cross. I am so thankful for God's great love for us!
Phrases a mom doesn't want to hear . . .
I have heard two phrases in the last few days that no mom wants to hear - thankfully they were separate incidents! The first one happened while Aaron was in the bathroom and I was in the kitchen and I heard him say "I pooped on my foot". Enough said! The second happened the next day while he was playing a computer game in the family room and I had stepped out in the backyard for a minute. He ran outside and said "I swallowed it". I froze in panic and calmly tried to determine what "it" was in this instance. As there wasn't any food out and Aaron rarely willingly eats I don't think it was something meant to be swallowed. Since he has also recently been putting odd items in his nose and ears, I think he has ventured on to swallowing odd things. I never solved the mystery, but so far he seems to be healthy and normal so I don't think it was anything like a battery or such. The day that this happened was hectic and I was a little on edge, but I have to be thankful to God that He allows days like that for me to truly decide if I am going to walk after the Spirit or walk after the flesh. If things were never hectic, if I always had help and support at just the right times, and everything ran smoothly I'd never have to seek after Him to make the hard choice to not "flesh out". I am thankful for days like today though! We saw our friends the Harrells at the park and had a wonderful time, and everything is running according to plan. It's only mid-afternoon though so we'll see what comes next!
Playing around
We are just loving this weather and I am having a good time playing with my boys! I just can't wait for Ben to walk so he can participate more in the outdoor play! I also can't wait for him to learn not to put everything he finds outside in his mouth! I think we are still at least a few weeks away on the walking. Aaron walked at 11 months, but since Ben was born early he is expected to be a little behind. He is 13 months now - I can't believe it! He is a determined kid! He goes after things I never had to worry about with Aaron, and if Aaron has something he wants he just takes it away from him. It is so interesting to watch to see how their personalities develop. My biggest prayer for them is that they would really grow up knowing how much God loves them and having the joy of the Lord. After writing that I realize how much I need to too!