Continuing Thoughts..................

from Whiter than Snow.

somebody else.
I really wish I could blame
somebody else.
I wish I could place the responsibility
on somebody else.
I would love to point the finger
at somebody else.
I wish I could convince myself
that it was somebody else.
For a moment I bought my argument
that it was somebody else.
There is always another sinner
who can bear my fault.
There is always another circumstance
that can carry my blame.
There's always some factor
that made me do what I did.
There's always somewhere else to point
rather than looking at me.
But in the darkness of bedtime
the logic melts my heart.
In the moments before sleep
the pain begins to squeeze away my breath.
As my mind replays the day's moments
the conclusion is like a slap.
there is no monster
to hide from.
There is no excuse that holds.
My war is not external,
the enemy is not outside.
The struggle rages within me,
nowhere to point or run.
No independent righteousness,
no reason for smugness or rest.
I am my greatest enemy
and rescue my only hope.
In the quiet I face it
I cannot blame somebody else.
One more time I close my eyes admitting
my only hope is found in Somebody else.
[Paul Trip]

I must say this chapter was quite convicting as it asked the question, "have you ever been tempted to blame inside struggles on outside pressures"?
Do you ever think, if only that person hadn't cut me off...............if only my child would blatently disobey............... if only that person wasn't so difficult to get along with.................if only [this] wasn't in my life ............................
How infinite is God's grace to our humanness!

Something in my hands I bring.........

My friend Lindsey recently gave me the book Whiter than Snow, Meditations on Sin & Mercy by Paul Tripp. I have really enjoyed reading it. This has been one of my favorite chapters so far.....I have now read this about 15 times and each time I read it, it's meaning grows deeper & richer. It's such a reminder to come on our faces, simply, humbly, knowing that it is only through God's mercy to us that we can come at all.

God doesn’t want you to come to Him empty-handed.
No, you can’t come to Him full of yourself.
And you can’t come to Him based on your track record.
And you can’t use your performance as a recommendation.
No, you can’t come to Him based on your family,
Your personality,
Your education,
Your position in life,
The successes you’ve had,
The possessions you’ve accumulated,
Or the human acceptance you’ve gained.
But God requires you to come with your hands full.
He requires you to bring the sweetest of sacrifices,
The sacrifice of words,
He calls you to bring Hosea’s offering.
“Return, O Israel, to the Lord Your God.
Your sins have been your downfall!
Take words with you
And return to the Lord.
Say to Him
‘Forgive all our sins
And receive us graciously,
That we may offer our lips as the sacrifices of bulls. ‘ “
God doesn’t want you to come empty-handed.
He asks of you a sacrifice.
Not a grain offering,
Not a lamb or a bull.
No, that requirement has been satisfied.
By the blood of the Lamb.
Yet God asks of you a sacrifice
It is the offering of words,
Words of humilty,
Words of honesty,
Words of moral courage,
Words of moral candor,
Words that could only be spoken,
By one who rests in grace.
Words of confession are what you must bring.
Place words,
Free of negotiation or excuse,
On His altar of grace,
And receive forgiveness and cleansing.
Uncover your heart,
Exposed by words and say:
“We will never again say ‘Our gods’
To what our own hands have made.
For in You the fatherless find compassion.”
What David willingly did He requires of you,
Come with words,
It is the way of grace,
It is the way of freedom,
It is the way to God.

toddlerville.

yes, it's hard to believe our baby is 16 months old. officially a toddler (in my own diagnosis!) officially going one hundred miles an hour every second he's awake. (and needing a haircut that I can't bring myself to do yet!) We finally have our first words!! I know everyone says boys talk later than girls, so I have been trying not to be impatient.......... He has been saying dada & mama for a long time now, but I never felt like he was actually calling us those names, they were more his favorite babble syllables, so I didn't think I could count those. :( but yeah! first official word - what else could it be - BA. [ball for those who don't speak his language.] He has been obsessed with balls forever, so it's only fitting. He ADORES seeing something he can identify. Thus, we hear this word at least 1000 times a day. Yes, he finds every ball, ball-looking, round object known to man. Apparently, he's in love with anything that starts with B, as he also says bear, bird, bus & baby. He also says duck. It's so fun to read thru a book with him and he can actually point out objects he knows. He loves it! He's working on puppy too.  He LOVES dogs & birds & airplanes and nothing makes him happier than to locate every single one on our daily outings!

He is on his 4th ear infection, big boo. Hopefully as we move out of cold season, those will stop happening. He also cut 7 teeth in the last 6 weeks, including FOUR molars. Drool-fest is back. 'nuff said.
I hadn't really noticed until we had several out of town guests [that about died], that our daily routine involves 1-2 hours of walking most days. One of the reasons we adore city life!! Whether it is heading down to the bank or post office, walking to the park, hitting up CVS, or an evening stroll around the neighborhood, we are on the go and on our feet most days. So far, G has proved to be a very good stroller rider and I am only hoping that continues for as long as possible!! He also loves to say HI to everyone we pass. And if you don't say hi back, he will say it over and over. :)
I am happy to say that the veggie battle has gotten much better!

Heading hard into "this is what I want to do" phase. Threw a little tantrum at the mall one time and banged his head on the ground. So now, occasionally, he will lie down gingerly and then cry, letting me know he isn't happy. But it cracks me up how he remembers that one instance and does not want to do it again! dra.ma. :)
Morning nap is gone. LOVE that!! That is my part 2 post that I have been meaning to write for the past month or so. One of these days....
Those of you who had boys that potty-trained by 2, any tips to start on now?? My neighbor did give me some great advice - thanks Christi. :)
He likes to yell when he's in the shopping cart of stores. embarassment. yes, he has a set of lungs and likes to yell just because. working on that!
My sister taught him uh-oh when he was here. I had kind of been avoiding that, but I have to admit, it's pretty funny, especially now that he's actually figuring out the right context for it! Thanks Katie. :)

At his 15 month appt. (that happened a day before 16 months!) he checked in at 32 inches/28 lbs. yep, firmly in the 80th percentile. :) He's also fully in 2T clothes, but I am kind of expecting (hoping?) that to stay for a while!

We went from shoe size 4 to 6 in a blink. That means the size 5 flips & crocs that I bought him for.the.summer. lasted 2 months. grrrr.....!!

He is a sweat-er. Oh my, these recent hot days, the poor guy is soaked. It's really time for a little backyard pool!! His outfit of choice is basically diaper. My new favorite thing for him is his rashguard! I recently realized that these swim shirts have SPF 50 in them, so I am so thankful not to have to worry about him sunburning through his clothes!

I should probably go locate my scissors..............................

Meeting the Trio.................

Sweet, sweet babies. Almost 8 weeks, now between 6-7 lbs. Such little ones, they were so fun to care for!

It was fun to see their baby dedication!Graham has lots of fun playing with his "big" cousins!Testing out both triple strollers during our walk!

I love Lincoln's look, I don't think he's interested in Andrew's small talk. :)

The babies are all doing great! Lincoln does have a double hernia, and will hopefully have surgery very soon to alleviate his discomfort. But other than that, they are all healthy & growing! Their church has pitched in so much between the meals, the gifts and the volunteer care. What a blessing it is for them to have such resources, because it seriously does take an army! I think I will take my babies one at time, thank you very much........... :)

riverwalk

The last day that my sister was here, we ended up along the North Shore of Pgh. We had always seen this spot across the river that looked so nice, but we never knew how to get there! Well, we found it. It reminds us of the River Walk in Mpls. as well as Norfolk, so I think we may have found our new favorite spot.

More pics are also on facebook.

miss this girl so much! but thankful for such a fun week!

Jaunting thru the Strip............

We love our Strip District which is where we can get [cheap] produce & meats. There are also tons of food being grilled up along the sidewalks, and many fun things to take in! And donuts. can't forget the donuts.

I just LOVE this table & chairs!!

dinosaurs made out of bread, anyone?ewwwww.......

yummmm.....

lovin' our time!

The fun begins...............

We are so excited to have Katie here!

Day 1 @ the park................