Just Children of All Ages

Psalm 81

"If you would listen to Me! . . .

Oh that My people would listen to Me,

That Israel would walk in My ways!"

Verses 8 & 13

How many times have I said something like this to my children in frustration, "Why won't you just listen to me!" There's a lot of temptation daily for frustration, anger and impatience when you're a parent.

If any of you have children, you know how easy it is for them to mirror the same sinful tendencies we exhibit. They see the way we act, the things we say and do, and how we react to pressure. Monkey see, monkey do. We look upon them, as their parents, frustrated that our children behave in such ways, even angry that they do not behave better . . . less like us.

The funny thing is that we are no different than children. When we see them do the same things we do, we see how ridiculous and selfish we can be ourselves. It is very convicting as we look introspectively and realize, "Wait, she learned that from me!" Bearing and nurturing children is, indeed, a sanctifying process.

God looks down on His children and says, "Wait, learn from Me! Behave like Me! Do what I say and you will be blessed!" He is our Father and He gets frustrated with us at times too! But His patience is far greater than my own. His faithfulness is greater, His love more profound and His commitment to us is much deeper than is ours.

I am just like a child, except older, and with more expensive or less visible idols.

Well . . . the conviction works. And I'm urged further toward the holiness and compassion of Christ, knowing that just as God the Father shows grace and kindness in the great wealth of His loving patience toward me - His disobedient (at times) and hard-headed child - I should do the same with the children He has entrusted to my care. Keeping this in remembrance helps greatly in motivating me toward leaving a more Christ-like example for them to follow. After all, I don't want them to battle the same tendencies that war against my new nature. Yes, they'll still be unregenerate until the Spirit gives life, but I am still responsible for them until they reach adulthood. And on Judgment Day, I will be held accountable for my attitude while they were in my care - what kind of legacy do I want to leave?

The Lily Wave

Here's a video of Lily waving! She's so cute! She gets her whole body into it. :-) Since my last post about her mobility, she has learned to crawl forward like a baby bunny. :-)

House Update: Great News!

The mortgage loan at the Bank has approved our offer for the second, smaller loan! So . . . that means we choose a date for the inspection and closing! Yay!! (That's an understatement!) We're looking at sometime in October to close. That will give us time to have moving help and do the necessary cleaning and such before move in and move out. I'm so excited! I guess Lily can wait to move in with Moriah once we've completed that transition and do it all at once.

Moriah At 22 Months

Today Moriah turns 22 months old. In some ways, it's really hard to believe that she is that old but in other ways we want her to be a little bit older. :-) I guess that's the way it is when you're parents, huh?!

Her communication has really improved as she is always learning new words and she is talking all the time. What impresses me the most is her grasp on the alphabet and numbers. She sings the Alphabet Song great, albeit some of the letters aren't pronounced with 100% clarity, there is still enough remnant to tell that "duhb" is "W" and "ks" is "X". She can count to 10, although she sometimes forgets 5, 6 and 7. Oh, and the funniest part about her counting is that 4 and 7 are pronounced with a southern accent! ("Fow" and "Seh-hmm." :-)

Moriah enjoys reading, learning flash cards and going outside. She knows several animal sounds: cow, kitty, dog, sheep, frog, lion, duck, goose and bear. It will be great to have a place with a yard where she can be safe and still explore every rock, stick, pine needle, flower and leaf. Grandma Jane has taught her to put some of these treasures into her pockets. :-)

Moriah has a very strong desire to help and she's very curious. Sometimes Jeramy and I really appreciate the help she offers and other times, not so much. Being a parent is tough in this area because sometimes it is difficult to decide when she is trying to help and when she is just causing trouble. Other times she gets into stuff she shouldn't because she's just curious as to how it works. I think that, as she grows, whatever stage she reaches will always be a new adventure for me as a parent. During this toddler stage, both of us, Moriah and I, have grown some. :-)

And I cannot let this month pass without saying that she, for several days in a row, could not keep her clothes on. Jeramy or I would walk into her bedroom in the morning or after her afternoon naps to find her buck naked in the crib, oftentimes with poo everywhere. Needless to say that neither of us were very happy. One day I saw her climb into her crib while the rail was in the lowered position and reasoned that she would be able also to climb out. So I converted her crib into a toddler bed with extra pillows on the floor and we haven't had as much trouble finding her naked with improperly placed poo.

Lastly, Moriah loves her sister. I think that they have become very good friends. Occasionally there is the small fight over a toy, but she is learning to share well. She likes to give kisses to Lily and stroke her hair. She has learned to give her toys gently without throwing them and willingly shares her water cup. I think that she will also be a very good Mommy, too. Watching them play together brings me joy. :-)

House Update: Good News!

With all of the rain over this past week, the basement of the house we're hoping for has NOT flooded! Yay! That's a really big deal for us.

Also, even bigger than that, the largest of the two mortgage loans on the house has approved our offer! It's really big news! Once the second, smaller mortgage has approved our offer (maybe we'll hear back in the next two weeks), then the Bank will draw up a contract and we'll pick a date for inspection and closing! Yay! Once the date is set for closing, then we will begin packing and soliciting strong, available men to help us. :-)