December 31, 2014

"Praying for Boys" ~ End of the Month Wrap-Up


"Three thoughts to consider 
when talking to your boy about purity.

1) Your son needs to know you believe
    in his ability to control himself.  
He looks to you, whether you like it or not, as an expert, an authority.  Parents are supposed to have all the answers, right?  If you communicate or even hint that you don't believe your son can control himself, you're risking your relationship with him.

2) Men were made to protect women. Period.
We absolutely must teach our sons to be protectors.  It can start with superheroes, move to childhood friends, and find its completion in their lifelong mates.  However they get it, I firmly believe men need to see themselves as designed by God to protect, and my hope and prayer is that they'll embrace this call enough to deny themselves the pleasure if it means protecting the woman they love.

True love denies itself 
for what's in the best interest of the other.

3) Hold out a vision for the blessing of the pure life.
Purity isn't just about sex.  Purity is about keeping our eyes and hearts from anything evil, anything that has power to overcome our will or turn our hearts away from the only true God.  Purity is about loving God so much that we hate our sin, hate being tempted to sin.  Purity is doing just about anything to stay in right fellowship with God.

But we can't have a vision for the importance of a pure life if we don't love God passionately.

So... do you love God passionately?

Are you seeking Him with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength?  
Are you choosing the right thing over the easy thing?  

Your son is watching you.

Let him see your love for God bubble over in worship and affect the things you do and say.  
Then pray for him to fall in love with God too. "

-Brooke McGlothlin-

"Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God."

Matthew 5:8

December 28, 2014

Late Pictures of our Early Christmas

Grandma Lori and Grandpa Dean were here visiting a couple weeks ago...
finally, here are the pictures!!!

The lucky grandsons sure were happy to have Grandma and Grandpa around for five days.  
They all had so much fun together :)
 
Playing with "Photo Booth" on my laptop.

Of course we had good wine!
 Supporting local businesses!!!
 ChewVino, the very awesome wine bar in Chewelah.
Someone, and who knows who it could've been, pre-ordered Grandma Lori a drink!


A walk to the park.


Stopped by a local coffee shop on the walk home, 
the boys loved their "warm" chocolate after playing hard at the park.



We celebrated Christmas while they were here!
Nina guarded the presents to make sure no one did any snooping...
They really spoiled us!!!!!!!!
It was a happy, happy morning :)
Until the Packers lost. boo.
But even then... so much happiness!!!


The time always comes... time to say goodbye... :(
One last game please Grandpa!!!

Bennett multitasking by sharing a sucker and a kiss at the same time ;)


The boys are WELL KNOWN for never wanting to take a nice goodbye picture!!!
At least we know what to expect.
But you'd think we'd plan ahead then, and take the picture before the real goodbye!
But we don't!!!!

We just smile and be thankful for the time we shared together.

Thanks Mom & Dad for EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!

Can't wait for your next visit :)

Love you!

December 21, 2014

Warning... Bennett Picture Overload!

Mine and Erik's phones are dominated by pictures taken by Bennett... as soon as he figured out how to get to the camera and take pictures it has become his favorite thing to do.  I feel like a celebrity living with the paparazzi!!!  So I downloaded a bunch of his pictures and thought i'd share them with you. It kind of shows a "day in the life" of our little family :)

More pictures of our early Christmas with Grandma Lori 
and Grandpa Dean (that I took) coming soon!!!