Family Photos...

This was our attempt at Family Photos this Fall.  

Thankful Tree...

This is our Thankful Tree this year.

I am also very challenged by this podcast on Sabbath Rest this week. 

Lots of good things to think through!  I am definitely one that needs to make more time to stop and rest!

A boy and his potty...

This is Josiah's potty story.  One day there was a little boy named Josiah who was trying to learn to go pee on the potty.  He did not like change and was very resistant to this foreign object in the bathroom.  His Mommy tried showing him that his doggy wanted to go pee on the potty, she tried coaxing him with stickers and chocolate chips, but alas the boy kept peeing in his pants.  He didn't get it one bit.  He cried sitting on the potty and his Mommy literally had to hold him down every time he sat.  She tried to make it fun and read books and do puppets but alas no success.  The boy kept wearing underwear in hopes that he would some day learn to pee on the potty.  

Well, 7 weeks later, the end of September- he suddenly ran to the potty, sat down and went.  The siblings "cheered," everyone ran to the potty to see what great news Josiah had brought to the household.  The siblings ran to give him stickers and chocolate chips and of course, gave one to themselves as well for cheering him on.  He still prefers his little potty but the boy did have success on a farm on a port-o-potty the other day, the lowest of the low as far as toilets go.  Low and behold, after 3 months of working, just today, little Josiah ran on his own and "pooped" on the potty.  This is big news and success folks.  After many weeks of messes, the Mommy was getting tired and discouraged but alas, the boy has finally had success. And so this boys story has turned from sad to glad!  And the household rejoices!   

Lydia and her purple donut

Joel Isaiah- 4 Months...

Joel: Yahweh is God

Isaiah: Yahweh is Salvation

Joel's Verse:

Joel 3:16-  

"The Lord roars from Zion,
    and utters his voice from Jerusalem,
    and the heavens and the earth quake.
But the Lord is a refuge to his people,
    a stronghold to the people of Israel."

Joel's Hymn:

Immortal, Invisible

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible, hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above
Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all, life Thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish—but naught changeth Thee.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
All praise we would render; oh, help us to see
’Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee.

 We love this little pumpkin.  His nickname is Baby Gravy, at least that is what I call him right now.  He loves to find his feet and is beginning to want to roll to his side but has not rolled over too much yet.  He loves to smile and talk and has become a happy little baby after the first few months of tears.  He seems to take after his brother Jeremiah in wanting to move and does not stay still much.  He loves when you talk to him and loves to giggle.  He is in his own bed and room right now across the hall and is sleeping fairly well at night.  Lydia loves to just run to his every whimper and cry- definitely a second little mother around here.  We always pick a verse and hymn for our kids and finally got to write about it.  I love Steve Green's rendition of "Immortal Invisible."  That is our little buddy.

Joel Isaiah Lyons- 3 Months...