I'm so blessed to have been given such a godly example in a father. He's truly amazing!!
In our home, since our families live too far apart, we alternate holidays. This year Easter was spent with Trevor's family. Easter afternoon included non-stop playing with cousins for Caleb, an egg hunt, and yummy food. I am thankful for our families and the times we're able to spend together.
It was so neat to see how much Caleb has changed from this time last year. I can remember trying to show him how to hunt for eggs and we even "practiced" the week before so he would have some understanding of what to do. Although he would pick up the eggs, he still didn't seem to really care about it. He was more interested and curious with other things. This year he was all about it. He knew what to do and would get SO excited to "find" the eggs. He would see an egg and say "Eggs!". And of course, he didn't want to wait to check out what was inside of the eggs. Let's just say... he had WAY to much chocolate and candy over Easter weekend.
Although he has had his moments of "terrible twos", I'm truly lovin this stage. He is SO fun. He gets so excited about everything. Although that same passion can also come out in opposition to what I'm having him do, I wouldn't have it any other way. Well, ok, maybe I would change the difficulty of keeping him in the grocery cart, or the fact that he doesn't want to leave certain places without a screaming fit, or the days when I feel like a terrible mom and just want to keep him at home and never attempt to take him to another store. Ha! Ok, it's not perfect but the good completely outweighs the bad.
His new phrase this month is "never mind". He uses it in such a way that it actually means "no". For example, when I ask him to come to the table to eat, his response is "never mind". :) So, were working on this! He also has such an extraverted personality. I try to give him opportunities to be around other children each week and he will always find a little friend to play with. This past week he was looking out the window at home and said, "mommy, go see peoples?" He doesn't meet a stranger, which we're working on, because this past week we were picking up a pizza and he decided to say "hi" to a stranger and then drive his toy car across their "behind". Yep, I may have turned a few shades of red and tried to politely apologize. Thankfully the man laughed about it... shew!!! Anyway, it's never a dull moment!
This month has been quite full of travel and trying out some new things. Not only did we travel to see family, we traveled for a mini weekend adventure that involved Trevor's online course. It felt good to just get away for a few days and also be able to see some friends!!
I've also been experimenting in the kitchen. Ya know, I've always wanted to be a girl who could cook, bake, and come up with these fabulous recipes but I have finally realized that's just not who I am. Understand, I enjoy cooking, baking, and trying new recipes but I've learned that my attempts usually disappoint or just don't turn out the way I was hoping. But, that has not kept me from trying and I have also realized that the simpler the recipe, the more likely I will have success! HA! :) Anyway, for a while now I've been trying to help my family eat healthier. And for the most part we do, but I have been trying to find easy recipes to replace some of the convenience/ snacky foods we eat on a regular basis. Anyway, in an attempt to lessen the junk, I found some recipes on pinterest that I can make instead of buy that have been a success. One food we eat a lot of are granola bars. I've finally found a couple of recipes that are easy and yummy. I also like the fact that I know exactly what ingredients are in the bar. I'll post a link to the recipe here and here The peanut butter version has become our favorite.
A food that Caleb snacks on a lot are crackers and I found a recipe for a whole wheat cheesy cracker and it was actually pretty good. The only thing is that I rolled out the dough a little too thick and they kind of looked like doggie treats.. which is not very appealing. :) But, hey, Caleb really liked them and they were super easy to make. I'll post the link for that recipe here.
So, all of this experimenting with new things has really had me thinking about my spiritual life. Each day has its own troubles, worries, and problems. There is no escaping it because we live in a sinful world. But, I do have a savior who gives second chances, renews my mind, and brings peace and joy. Each day brings a newness... a choice to either allow the world to fill me up or to be filled up with Jesus.
I'm realizing it's a daily battle to let God renew my mind... to see people and situations as He sees them. In order to live my life as a service completely unto Him, I MUST allow Him to renew my mind. If not, I'm constantly worrying, or focusing only on my and my family's needs, or wasting my time on worthless activities and thoughts, and then I usually miss what He was calling me to do or see. As a Christian, everywhere I go, everything I do should be in service to him. I am so realizing this about myself. God is not a compartment in my life that only comes out certain times of the day. It truly is a battle.. there is so much distraction in this world that wants to capture our thoughts away from God. I recently had an opportunity to share Christ with a person but completely blew it because honestly, I did not have my mind focused on Him. It wasn't until I left the store, that the Lord reminded me that he gave me an opportunity but I was not listening or prepared. So, I'm choosing to see each day as "new", to see it as a new opportunity to be filled by reading God's word, and through prayer and praise. I'm so thankful I serve a God who is forgiving and loving, and continues to teach and guide me.
Romans 12: 1-2
Therefore I urge you, brethern, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, be be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
On a lighter note, I'll leave you with a picture of a really crazy, scary shirt monster....
