I'm back, sorta

My challenge has taken up much time, and I've missed you bloggy peeps.  Tonight is Bible study (which hopefully you've learned from the challenge- is very important to me.) 

*sigh*

*pouty sigh*

I have begun to get Peyton ready to learn!  Wow, is he ever excited?  For two days, we have focused on the color red (crayons, toy categorizing, magazine hunts, bath tub painting, etc.)  He is also starting to learn to write his name.   If you noticed my new button, it will lead you to the site where I discovered the recipe for bath paint. 

Today is the day baby Kate is admitted to the Bone Marrow Transplant unit- click the button, pray for Kate!

Faith Stones

Ok, last week I mentioned we should remember what God has already done for us.  One method of doing so is to put up faith stones, or alters (eek, that word connotates candles and a creepy picture collection.) 

Jacob had a habit of setting up alters in places that he truly felt God's presence; e.g. Bethel (pillar anointed after his vision of the ladder Gen 28:18,  Gen 33:20 Jacob built the alter at El Elohe Israel).  It is in this tradition, I like to set up faith stones (not literally rocks people!)  Just big markers in my mind for rememberance. 

This is a (partial) list of places where I have truly felt in His presence:

• Peyton's first hospital visit after seizure
• the time when our back door broke, like would not close
• TJ's birth (cord wrapped around his neck, I was on oxygen)
• Bible confernce with Dr. Smith, studying Colossians

What are some of your 'stones'?  If you are not able to comment (thanks Blogger) just Facebook me or whitneykey83@gmail.com 

Perspective: Keep the Right Focus

Wednesday night bible study is always good.  Tonight I finally found (er, was given) a new verse for the blog.  Our congregation has been studying Phillipians for quite a while.  May I preach at you? Thanks!


Phillipians 4:4-7

 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
⁵ Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

When Paul wrote these words, he was most likely chained to a Roman soldier.  Yet, he did, and we are, to rejoice always.  I don't know about y'all, but I rarely rejoice.  Shame on me.  I rather prefer to focus on my hardships.  Poor pitiful me.  Nuh-uh, not Paul.  Or David (think King David.)  He, David, was often depressed and hard pressed (Psalms.) Bro. Allen shared David's keys to success and I'll share them with y'all. 
      1) Remember who God is (creator, I AM that I AM)
      2) Remember what God has done for you in the past (look back at your 'faith stones')
      3) Remember God's promises when you trust (think conditional promises)

Phillipians 4:8-9

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. ⁹ The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

And Paul was a dude you could follow.  Of course, I would rather you follow Christ; He's the standard.  Now, let's talk specifics! True, noble, just, pure, lovely, good report, virtue, praiseworthy: that's the Bible.   So when others are 'clearing their mind to let the energy flow' you just meditate on the word of God.  Sidenote: I'm a woman, you might be too.  I can never REALLY clear my mind anyway, please don't suggest it.  

SO that was what I was thinking during Bible study.  Also, look back at verse 5.  What do people think of when they think of you? I don't want you to think Bulldog, though I love 'em.  I want you to think "man, she loves Jesus", is that bordering on pride?  Ok well, that is all for today. 

Lots of Pictures, Lots of Stories

So last night my boys came home!  Peyton came in and ate a large amount of food.  Jake wasn't interested in food.  So I put them all to bed and Daddy and I got to listen to our favorite radio program, Unshackled.  This show is produced by Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago.  Click here!!  You won't regret it, I don't think. 

I tossed and turned for 30 good minutes before finally getting in the guest bed.  (I didn't want to disturb Jake.)  I spent the next hour blog hopping and realizing that I desperately want to change my page's design.  I have inspiration now!  The first thing I remembe,r after finally turning out the light, is Peyton opening his bedroom door.   Sweet little one came to see his Mommy as soon as he saw sunlight.  (7AM)

After our pancakes we headed outside.  They acted like they wanted to play in the water, but they really just wanted to get the patio all wet.  Wet sidewalk chalk is really cool.  I was impressed, Peyton made a lovely handprint for me! (no, not being sarcastic)

Forget that it is pink

Anyway, I took them to WM with me so I could grocery shop.  Thanks to the new buggies, I could strap them both in while this was happening.  My first, and probably singular, good grocery trip with both boys. 

Peyton only napped for a little over an hour, which is never good.  But today he caught me studying my Bible and asked if I could Bible study with him when I finished my own reading.  I promptly read Psalm 5.

Right Before Bed

I went to the post office and tanning bed after Daddy got home from work.  Tootsies is having a summer sale and I am thinking of picking up a new beach towel.  Tootsies is where I tan. 

Saggy-Baggy

My friend Katie came over and talked to me while I prepared dinner.  We discussed my insistence that TJ and Peyton not waste good, regular diapers/pullups when playing in water.  The alternative is the pricey swim diapers; I don't like using three of those a day either.  I use three because I won't let them stay inside with a wet swimmy, and who wants to put on a cold, wet swimmy when going outside for round two (or three) of water fun? This has led to playing outside au natural.  Which I think is harmless, until....  (disclaimer: Mom, stop reading)

Mommy: "Peyton, may I take a picture of you two working of Daddy's lawn mower?"
Peyton: "Yes."
Mommy: just now reaching said lawn mower, "Peyton, where did that poop come from?"
   (TJ stands near an AWFUL smelling pile of poo)
Peyton: "His butt."

And that's where I'll leave you for today, good night folks!

More Chalk Play

Peyton Enjoys Watching Daddy Working

Peyton Also Enjoys Playing in the Yard While Daddy Works

TJ After His Bath

TJ had been Sticking His Tounge Out

UH OH.............

Finally! Jake is down.  I am not happy, just ready for this bout of disease to leave my house.  He is sick too.  Bless his little heart, he is passed out on the couch in his work clothes.   No picture.

His allergies have set up shop in his little eye

He looks just pitiful! 

Hambone, has to say cheese for EVERY camera he sees

Adorable.  Peyton has washed his hair, alone, twice today.  He does this by putting baby soap on his baby brush and brushing his hair with it.  Never thought of that myself.  TJ asserted himself against his brother today by pulling a fistful of hair.  Peyton was so mad, of course he hit back.  Of course he received time out, because hitting is never acceptible. 

Gained two tenths more pounds this week.  What is up??  Bible study just wasn't on tonight- I MEAN we had a great time, but the book series we've been using is totally not working for us anymore.  We need more scriptural meat.