Jordy is 7 Months Old!

If you look real close you can see he his first tooth!

Jeremy and I are still amazed that we have a 7 month old! These times fly so fast. Jordy is really starting to pave his path into our family with his adorable little personality. Logan is enjoying his little brother more and more and I am starting to see the gap between them dwindle. I know it will be only months before they are playing together and I am so excited for the day!

Some things Jordy is doing now:

• He giggles and screams all day long (YES we are in the screaming phase again)
• He likes to have screaming conversations even . . .He screams, you scream, he screams and this goes on and on.
• I haven't mentioned this before (probably because I was a little embarrassed about it) but this child LOVES television and will sit and watch a half hour show with Logan no problem.
• He is sitting on his own but could still fall over at any given moment. He doesn't quite have the base yet to support himself all the time
• He is the smiliest baby EVER!
  
• He is eating all 2nd stage baby foods and enjoying them all
• His night time schedule is as follows : Bedtime - 7pm, Up at 11pm, Up at 4am, Up at 6am, So we are still working on sleeping through the night :(
• He is cruising in his walker these days
• He is wearing mainly 12 month clothes
• He is getting his first tooth on bottom
  

Happy Birthday Jeremy!

Happy Birthday Jeremy/Daddy! We hope you had a fun weekend with us!

We LOVE you!!

Under Attack

You might think this is an odd topic for me to write about as it is usually not my style to blog about things like this but I feel compelled for one reason or another to write it down. I am convinced that we are under attack and I don't mean physically, politically, or even emotionally. I am talking under attack spiritually! And who is we?? Well, all of us really but especially parents. And how do I know this?? Because the Bible tells us so . . .

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." -Ephesians 6:12

As much as it scares me, I believe more than ever that our world is facing a spiritual warfare all around us. And I think that parents, especially mothers, are facing a full blown assault!

The enemy wants to do everything he can to prevent us from raising faithful children who love the Lord. But it must be a difficult task for him to weasel his way in.

Because we want to protect the innocence of our children, we are vigilant about the media that we allow into our homes (which, in-turn, protects us as well).

Because little eyes are watching, we want to set a good example and "do what's right".

Because little ears are listening, we carefully choose the words we say.

Because we want our children to enjoy God's word, we study it ourselves.

We are guarding our families from the blatant attacks from the enemy that we've seen destroy others. There will never be a time in the lives of our children when we have as much control over what they're exposed to than while they are young. We know this and we are wholeheartedly trying to stay faithful in God's word. In the midst of trying to instill a love for God in our children and preserve their innocence, why does it feel like we still can't claim victory???

It's because the enemy has found another way through our seemingly impenetrable walls...through self-doubt and unrealistic expectations of ourselves.

This has been a huge struggle for me lately. I honestly haven't felt like I can do anything right. I doubt my ability to raise our children to love the Lord. I doubt my ability to make a difference in this world. I doubt my ability to serve. It seems to me that someone can always do "it" better than I can.

A very small part of this, I truly believe, is God using child-rearing to humble my heart. He has taught me to need Him and not to depend on myself. I can't be the kind of person I want to be, or the person my children need me to be, on my own. I must look to His strength, love, and kindness.

But the feelings of self-doubt are not from God. They are Satan's way of attacking me. Because when I feel like this, I am debilitated. I am grumpy. I am irritable and short-fused. I don't want to serve because I don't feel like it. And that's just what the enemy wants...

So...what do I do to win this battle??? I'm not entirely sure, but I think looking to God's word is the right start. And recognizing that it is an attack that I must battle against.

Perhaps I'm the only one who feels this way. But I would venture to guess that I'm not alone. So stay strong Mothers . . . And Fathers and refuse to be defeated if it's the last thing YOU do!

I know this is a pretty heavy post but it has been on my mind and in my heart lately. So here are some smiles to brighten the mood! :)

Logan started swimming lessons this past weekend and he LOVED it!

Day 7 With Grandma and Papa Wright

Friday morning, Jon, Katie, and the boys as well as the Meschke's said goodbye to California and headed back to Kansas. It was such a fun time having them here. Papa Bert and Grandma Cindy stayed one more day with us and we managed to find something else fun to do with them. My online Mommies group put on a little concert for the kids and we had a blast. I took a bazillion pictures over the last week and I know that my blog posts have been long to say the least but I just couldn't leave any of them out! We just had such a great time so here is our last day on our little Cali Vacation!

Ann and I at the concert with our boys

Logan and Kenley loved playing with the instruments with Grandma

Papa clapping along to the music with Logan

Little Miss Kenley doing her thing!

Jordy also made sure to enjoy the music

DISNEYLAND!!!!

Day 5 and 6 of our little Cali Vacation with the Wright Family and the Meschke Family consisted of dinner at Downtown Disney and a very fun-filled and exhausting day at Disneyland all day Thursday. We were there when the park opened and managed to leave when the park closed! The day went by so quickly and yet again I was surprised by how few meltdowns we had. It is Monday as I write this and we are still adjusting to our normal routine and we didn't even leave California. It was an awesome week with our family and friends and we can't wait for the next time!

Mommy and her boys at dinner Wednesday night!

Uncle Jon, Cousin Jace, and Jeremy

Grandma and Papa with Jordy

All the adults minus Grandparents with Matt and Kate's Logan

Wright Family at Disneyland!!!!!!

Wright Family at Disneyland!!!!!!

My little mouse just chillin'

Logan was never too sure about the characters but in his typical fashion was in love with them after the picture was taken and we walked away. He is always so proud of himself and can't wait to look at the picture of him with the character

Ummmm . . . Not real sure

Grandma and Jordy hanging out!

Isn't he the sweetest! I know I am a little biased ;)

Logan loved riding the big boy rides

We are officially in love with Mickey! He didn't even know who or what the Disney Characters were but since our little trip he won't stop talking about or holding his Mickey Mouse doll

Daddy and Logan

With Goofy! He gave him a High 5

Uncle Jon and Jace being goofy

One last family picture

Jaxon and Mason thought Jordy was soooo cute

Our friends, the Meschke family

Cousins!

This picture says it all! He was super tired but had a Great Time with his family and his new buddy Mickey!

San Diego Zoo

On Monday we headed to the San Diego Zoo! It was a bit chilly but we still had a great time and the boys loved it.

Logan saying hi to the Orangutan

The Baby Gorilla posing for the camera

Daddy and his Mini-Me

Jace was always happy if there was food in front of him

Logan, Jace, Mason, and Jaxon

Logan in his cool shades!

Daddy and Logan with the seal. Logan loves seals and the noise they make!

The rhinos were AWESOME! I think they might have been my favorite because they were playing with each other and rough housing.