Remember?

Remember those paint with water books where the paint is already dried to the page in pictures and you just paint with water to reveal a masterpiece? In an effort to potty-train Isaiah (which is failing miserably in case you're wondering) I made him a sticker chart where he earns stickers for every time he goes, and after 6 stickers he gets a prize. The prize today was one of those paint-with-water books that I picked up at the dollar store for $.50 last week. It had Hotwheels pictures, so I figured that even if they thought the "painting" was lame, they'd at least be excited about the cool cars. The Dollar Store wins again! These little pictures where the source of at least 20 minutes of contentment today. We painted half of the book, but they were happy. Elijah painted too, but I don't have pictures of him since he painted later when he got home from school.

And about potty training, yes Isaiah is earning his stickers, but ONLY when I prompt him and overtly bribe him (if you use the potty you can get a sticker and remember what 6 stickers makes???...that's right, a present). He has yet to initiate potty use on his own. I've tried neglecting the reminders, hoping that the stickers will be motivation enough for him to remember to go on his own, but the result has only been pee soaked carpets and couches, and more laundry in one day than I normally do in a week. Suggestions welcomed! :)

Growing Up!

Elijah has taken a crazy growth spurt over the past month or so. He is looking so much older to us lately. Here are some pictures to prove it.

These pictures are all from our trip to Indiana last weekend, well all except for the outside one, that was after we got back to Kentucky. The kids all played outside this afternoon for almost an hour in jackets, and actually Isaiah didn't wear any shoes or socks for the first 5 minutes or so- until his mommy caught a glimpse of his bare toes running across the deck. I made him at least put his "rain boots" on (with no socks). I might get used to this living in the south thing after all. Pictured above are also the very cool and increasingly popular Spiderman pop-up book that Uncle Josh and Aunt Jess got him for Christmas, and a picture that is sure to reappear and embarrass him for years to come- Elijah playing with Olivia's Island Barbie. I had to.

The Parable of the Loving Father (AKA Prodigal Son)

"My son," the father said, "you are always with me, and everything I have is yours."
Luke 15:31
The son had just been complaining that the father hadn't given him enough. "You kill the fattened calf for my loser brother, but you don't even give me a goat for a party with my buddies."(my paraphrase) The father's response? "You are always with me, and everything I have is yours."

We usually hear about the father's compassion on the prodigal son in this story, but it hit me this week as I read it again that God wants to teach me something else about Him through the other son- you know, the much less frequently talked about son who stays home maintaining an average life while his brother runs off with the inheritance. I think in my previous readings of this parable, I've tuned out as soon as I get to the prodigal son part because I've never really had a prodigal son season in my life and I kind of know what happens next with regards to him.

BUT, as always with the Bible, there is more here than just the prodigal son. I mentioned to my more scholarly husband yesterday that I thought that this parable was more about the father and less about the prodigal son, and he agreed that our focus is often skewed and probably off from what Jesus intended.

With my new perspective focusing on the father instead of the prodigal, the other son becomes a key player. I can certainly relate to him as I've often had "other son" moments; in fact, I think God brought this story to my attention because I'm having plenty of those moments lately. My prayers usually end in something like, "and Lord, I know that you've always provided for us in the past but I just don't see how we're going to make it through this season. 'I do believe; help me overcome my disbelief.' Those kinds of prayers." And yet, I still have a roof, car to drive, clothes to wear, food to eat and freedom to pray and sing to my Lord whenever I please. Isn't this like saying to my Father, "I know I'm being taken care of right now, but I'm worried about next month. Can't you give me some extra right now so that I can be sure of your provision for next month? Where is my goat huh?"

God's response isn't wrath at some sort of greed that I might be displaying. He gives his blessed assurance. "You are always with me, and everything I have is yours." What a comfort this was to me this week. Everything God has is already mine- peace that passeth understanding, wisdom, assurance out the yin yang, and a joy for life that can only come from knowing Him. All of it is already mine because I am His. I don't need extra manna for this month to make sure I have some later. There will be plenty for what I need because I am His, and He will be as gracious in meeting our needs next month as He has been this month.

As if that weren't enough, the picture of the father in this story is not only one who provides for both of his very different sons, but he goes beyond provision. He lavishes what he has upon them. He doesn't give them only as much as they need for survival, but much more. This is the picture of our heavenly Father. He is ready to kill the fattened calf for the son (or daughter) who returns to him from afar, but he is just as ready to share everything he has with the one who never left.

Tired toddler

Micah was rudely awakened by his younger brother at 3am last night and while Isaiah promptly went back to sleep, Micah tossed and turned in our bed until 5am and then woke up at regular time of course. (Eric went to Micah's bed.) The result? A tired toddler. Aside from the fact that his patience level is at an all time low, he makes us laugh with his constant state of meaningless motion. The little video will show what he's been doing for the past hour. :)

Play a game; feed the hungry

Go to this website, play the game and this organization will donate grains of rice to those in need. Try it while you're on the phone on hold, and see how much you can donate. :)
www.freerice.com

What do we do all day?

Micah puzzling
Isaiah showing off a puzzle,

A friend asked recently... "so what do you do all day?" Interesting question really. Besides the regular stuff like dishes and laundry, I do "school" with the boys in the morning for an hour or two. Today Eric ran some errands and then studied at the library for the morning, came home for lunch then read for a class most of the afternoon. Micah was totally into puzzles for the day. Isaiah pretended to be into puzzles like his big bro, but he mostly just dumped them out so Micah could put them back together. Elijah and I were having so much fun that we almost forgot to get him on the bus at noon, and I continued the saga of potty training Isaiah, which really just means more laundry. :)

So far so good..

Well, the next phase of our Wilmore lives has begun. Wednesday was my last day of teaching, and Thursday was my first day as stay-at-home-mom. Eric is ready to start substitute teaching on Monday and I've been working at my new job at Southland Christian Church for two weeks. I am really enjoying my new job at the church. Half of it is writing curriculum for preschoolers, which I can do at home, and the other half of the job is teaching the large group preschool at 4 services, 2 weekends out of every 3.

I don't think the newness of "mommy being home" has worn off yet, and Eric has been home quite a bit these past two days so that's made life pretty easy. Elijah said today, "so mommy, you're going to be home with us and Daddy is going to work now right?" I said yes and he said, "I'm glad." So I know he notices... we'll see how fond he is of mommy after a few weeks (or maybe days) when mommy has a grumpy day or two. Overall though, I couldn't be happier staying home with our boys. They make me smile daily, and it is such a blessing to help them grow into the young men God created them to be. Sounds cheesy I know, but its absolutely true.

Thanks to some friends, we should have a new (used) camera soon, which means more pictures of our favorite activities. We can't wait. :)

While We're Telling Micah Stories...

On the same day as Erin heard the Micah in the coffee story, I hear this conversation between Micah and Elijah while I'm in the next room. I was getting ready to run on the treadmill and this had Elijah ready to do a little exercising as well.

Elijah: Daddy, I'm going to do some push-ups.
Eric: OK buddy.
Micah: I want to do push-ups with you Elijah.
Elijah: You have to hold your head up Micah.
Micah: I can't, I'm holding a marshmallow!

I laughed my fool head off!

Dreams

3:30pm today- post-nap

Micah: Mommy, I just had a dream.

Me: Oh yeah? What about.

Micah: There was a monster, and he had a cup of coffee.

Me: Yeah? (Micah jumps up on the couch beside me.)

Micah: Yeah, and I was in his cup of coffee and he drank me.

Me: He what?

Micah: The monster drank me in his coffee.
He looks at me and smiles. I wonder if he'll have an aversion to coffee someday?