my little engineer

Evan has recently been into asking the question "what am I going to be when I grow up?"  To this, Scot and I always give the same answer: you don't need to know that right now, but as long as you're glorifying God in what you do, and Lord willing able to support a family, then you're fine.

But he comes up with suggestions.  The two professions that seem to be most repeated are being a construction worker, and an engineer (although this just started off as him telling us what kind of jobs "build things" and we supplied the title).

He has always enjoyed playing with his legos and blocks and building structures.  This is his latest structure.  He loves building bridges.  This one impressed me with the supporting center pillars and the reinforcement under the bridge with flatter pieces to make everything more stable.

It's probably just my mother's-pride, but I thought I'd share.

Unpacking Forgiveness

I hope everyone had a grand Valentine's Day.  This may seem like an odd post for the day after we're supposed to celebrate love.  But then again, maybe it's not.

If anyone reading this little blog has ever struggled with asking for, or giving forgiveness, or even just understanding what Biblical forgiveness is, I highly suggest you read this book by Chris Brauns.

It is not only biblically based, but dripping with scripture.  It is NOT Mr. Brauns' opinion found in the pages, but what Scripture says is a Biblical model for forgiveness.  It's not an easy read.  I mean, it's easy to read and understand, but it's convicting and will hopefully help the reader see what his/her responsibility is when it comes to forgiving others.  Also, it lays out what is not our responsibility 

I read the book to figure out what the concept was that is wrapped up in the phrase "an attitude of forgiveness" or a "willingness to forgive".  I was intrigued with the idea that forgiveness is not automatic, but is conditional upon repentance.

If what I just said is intriguing and you want to know what Scripture says about forgiveness, go and "unpack" with Chris Brauns.   You may be surprised what you find.

a little look back

sometimes, in order to remind myself of how fast times flies (like i really need any reminding with 2 growing boys around who are currently eating me out of house and home and growing taller and communicating more effectively each day and needing me less and less with each week that passes...) i look at pictures from a year ago.  just to remind myself where we were, how far we've come, and how fast. time. flies.

February 2012

We had just gotten our pass to the Aquarium.  We've now gone a dozen times and our pass has run out.  It was a good year.

We're still reading, although different books.  And Drew now wears the shirt Evan has on in this picture. (Look at those little feet!)

We were gearing up for the fabulous Valentine's Dinner party with our friends (we won't be doing that this year since the friend who hosts it JUST had a baby!).  The boys, you can tell, have quite a height difference here.  Not as much these days.  And they're only 7 lbs apart in weight.

Drew-boy had just moved to his toddler bed!  He now makes his own bed and is paci-free.

Evan had his first real dentist appointment.  If it's possible, we go in next month and Drew will be in for his preliminary appointment.  

And I had to add this one because to me, we've had the micro-machines and GI Joes around for.ever.  But no, they came out a year ago and the boys have had a blast playing with them all year long.

thankful...

...for places like Playground World who host a free hour of play a couple times a week.  We had never been before, but even with so few months left, I think we'll make a point to go back.

The boys had so much fun bouncing, climbing, sliding, scooting, and swinging!  It was a bit chaotic, but I think that was mostly due to the rain that gave everyone the brilliant idea to go to this amazing indoor playground on. the. same. day!  Still, though, it was totally worth it.

A new Sunday tradition.

You know those conversations you have when you're dating?  The ones that involve dreams of a family and what that will look like?  Some are far-fetched or unrealistic  others are commonplace, and some are well-intentioned, but never actually happen.

When Scot and I were dating, we talked about family.  For sure.  We talked about our dreams and things we would like to do with children if the Lord blessed us with them.  Boys or girls, a trait we wanted to cultivate in our children was a love (or at least an appreciation for) the written word.  We felt so strongly about this, one of my baby showers for Evan was a book shower!  Some of our most cherished moments in the day involve a book.  Seeing as both their parents are bookworms, one active, one only worming his way through medical texts instead of more pleasurable prose, the boys don't really stand a chance, right?  They'll both love it...right?

Well, to help facilitate this love for reading (and to get some reading done ourselves), something we talked about long ago was having a reading hour (or two) one night a week.  Sounds lofty, maybe, but I once knew a family where Wednesday nights were soup, salad, and a book nights.  As a family, they would gather in their living room and settled down with their dinner and a good read.  It sounded lovely to me.

We are just to the point where the boys are both dropping naps.  Sometimes.  But we recently decided to try this new "reading hour" thing to see if it works for us.  Considering Scot doesn't have a lot of time off, and evenings are never predictable, we are starting out using Sunday afternoons after lunch to grab a book and read quietly for an hour.  The boys get 30 minutes right now, and then they can play quietly, but Scot and I can have an hour to pour into a book for pleasure!  It is lovely.

What I'm going through right now.  It's wonderful if you haven't taken the time.  But it does take time.

So when we're home, and we don't have people over, Sunday afternoons are our family reading times.  For now, at least.