Cooper is the lover of all things music...
No shirt required for Bongo drums.
Our attempts at transferring Keynote to video failed after many hours of work, so here are some individual videos of Cooper doing what he loves.
Showing posts with label Kiddos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kiddos. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Finding Your Children in the Bible
Before I start, let me just say the Bible is not about me or my kids; it's about God. But, I found myself getting a little creative the other day as we were studying together. I am currently reading Acts to my kids. I stop along the way to give explanations, but they are fairly attentive as the book is full of entertaining stories, and they are full of questions. It has been one of my favorite parts of our summer.
We were reading the story of Stephen in Acts 6-7, Stephen's speech was getting lengthy, the "littles" were starting to stand on their heads and make funny noises, and I began seeing a pattern with the speech. So... I told everyone to listen for their name because they were all in Stephen's speech, kindof...
Cooper's middle name is Stephens, so while it is a family name, it originates from the martyr Stephen "crown". A few sentences into Stephen's speech, he mentions Abraham. Abraham was married to Sarah "princess" (my 10 year old). At the end of his speech, he mentions David, which finally gives opportunity to the least attentive Abby (Abigail -- a wife of David, "My father is Joy"). There is nowhere else in the Bible that all three of my children are linked together in name. Pretty cool. They were thrilled!
Your children may not have the names of men/women in the Bible, but you may find stories/personalities/situations that relate to them. Sometimes we have to be creative in keeping their attention. As long as we are pointing them to the gospel and not themselves, there is no harm in that. Have fun coming up with ways to keep them interested!
We were reading the story of Stephen in Acts 6-7, Stephen's speech was getting lengthy, the "littles" were starting to stand on their heads and make funny noises, and I began seeing a pattern with the speech. So... I told everyone to listen for their name because they were all in Stephen's speech, kindof...
Cooper's middle name is Stephens, so while it is a family name, it originates from the martyr Stephen "crown". A few sentences into Stephen's speech, he mentions Abraham. Abraham was married to Sarah "princess" (my 10 year old). At the end of his speech, he mentions David, which finally gives opportunity to the least attentive Abby (Abigail -- a wife of David, "My father is Joy"). There is nowhere else in the Bible that all three of my children are linked together in name. Pretty cool. They were thrilled!
Your children may not have the names of men/women in the Bible, but you may find stories/personalities/situations that relate to them. Sometimes we have to be creative in keeping their attention. As long as we are pointing them to the gospel and not themselves, there is no harm in that. Have fun coming up with ways to keep them interested!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Mothers, God is Sovereign
Nearly three years ago, our neighbors' son (in his mid 20s) had a tragic accident. He barely survived and now has very low brain function and is completely dependent on his parents. Chris and I talk with the parents regularly and have built a friendship with them. They are pleasant and loving. They are dedicated parents who haven't shown an ounce of bitterness. They've never expressed that God owed them something for the "good" they've done.
It was time for them to be empty-nesters and put their feet up when their whole world came crashing down. I expressed this recently to the mom, and she just grinned. I also told her that when she was out playing with her son, like I do with Cooper, she could have never dreamed this would have happened. She shook her head. I don't judge. It could have been me, and none of my children are exempt from what happened to hers. She tries to not let herself drown in what could be an ocean of guilt. She would never escape. Jesus can redeem any situation. That's what I told her. She agrees.
As mothers, we all know this guilt too well. I've stayed at home from day one with my kids, and there have still been nights when I feel I didn't give enough. I want to do the best I can do knowing they have their own strong wills, and above both of those, there is still the Sovereign one. That's where we have to rest.
Gary Thomas in Sacred Parenting says, "None of us can be such good parents that God becomes obligated to save our children's souls. On the more encouraging end, none of us can mess up so badly that our children somehow extend beyond the reach of God's mercy."
It was time for them to be empty-nesters and put their feet up when their whole world came crashing down. I expressed this recently to the mom, and she just grinned. I also told her that when she was out playing with her son, like I do with Cooper, she could have never dreamed this would have happened. She shook her head. I don't judge. It could have been me, and none of my children are exempt from what happened to hers. She tries to not let herself drown in what could be an ocean of guilt. She would never escape. Jesus can redeem any situation. That's what I told her. She agrees.
As mothers, we all know this guilt too well. I've stayed at home from day one with my kids, and there have still been nights when I feel I didn't give enough. I want to do the best I can do knowing they have their own strong wills, and above both of those, there is still the Sovereign one. That's where we have to rest.
Gary Thomas in Sacred Parenting says, "None of us can be such good parents that God becomes obligated to save our children's souls. On the more encouraging end, none of us can mess up so badly that our children somehow extend beyond the reach of God's mercy."
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
The Rhythm That Is Children
I once heard an expecting mother say she and her husband were bringing their child into their world. Their lives would not revolve around the baby but he would simply begin to develop into their rhythms and they would not stop for his. I thought that was a good idea for about the first three months of Sarah's life while she was in a carrier putting up little fight. Now, with three children ranging from 5 to 10, I think it is the stupidest thing I have ever heard.
I will also say this: I expect my children to be very independent. I do not jump when they ask for a drink. They help clean the house, and they take their own showers. Sarah does all of her own homework and projects. Abby cuts her own fingernails. Cooper brushes his own teeth (when so inspired). They can tear this house apart, but they also know how to put it back together. As independent as my children are expected to be, I still think the above comments are delusional.
Chris and I are finding that our kids, possibly now more than ever, require all of us. We're okay with that (most days). They need attention and discipleship. They need Jesus weaved into every fiber of their emotional and spiritual growth. We find ourselves saying that Sarah is halfway finished with the time she will spend in our home. We are halfway finished pouring all we can into her before she leaves. (Our older friends are reminding us that they really start leaving around 14 or 15. Ouch!)
How naive we are to expect that our kids will not disrupt our lives and schedules! What joy we miss in not submitting to that (at times)! Pour into them! The time is now! These years are exhausting, but we want to know that we have discipled our children well and give glory to God for the rhythm that is children.
Disclaimer: I do not do this well. Part of the reason I expect my children to be independent is because I am selfish. I'm trying to learn to get up early to get things done to not put my kids on the back-burner. I like to blog and look at twitter. I have a small side job and keep up with our bills at home. I have a tendency to make my kids busy themselves while I do things I like to do. I'm trying to learn to do some of these things before they get up, so that they are not constantly having to revolve around me.
I will also say this: I expect my children to be very independent. I do not jump when they ask for a drink. They help clean the house, and they take their own showers. Sarah does all of her own homework and projects. Abby cuts her own fingernails. Cooper brushes his own teeth (when so inspired). They can tear this house apart, but they also know how to put it back together. As independent as my children are expected to be, I still think the above comments are delusional.
Chris and I are finding that our kids, possibly now more than ever, require all of us. We're okay with that (most days). They need attention and discipleship. They need Jesus weaved into every fiber of their emotional and spiritual growth. We find ourselves saying that Sarah is halfway finished with the time she will spend in our home. We are halfway finished pouring all we can into her before she leaves. (Our older friends are reminding us that they really start leaving around 14 or 15. Ouch!)
How naive we are to expect that our kids will not disrupt our lives and schedules! What joy we miss in not submitting to that (at times)! Pour into them! The time is now! These years are exhausting, but we want to know that we have discipled our children well and give glory to God for the rhythm that is children.
Disclaimer: I do not do this well. Part of the reason I expect my children to be independent is because I am selfish. I'm trying to learn to get up early to get things done to not put my kids on the back-burner. I like to blog and look at twitter. I have a small side job and keep up with our bills at home. I have a tendency to make my kids busy themselves while I do things I like to do. I'm trying to learn to do some of these things before they get up, so that they are not constantly having to revolve around me.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Praying In Color
One of the greatest books I've bought for my kids is
Instead of having to journal or write or verbalize prayers that may be difficult at a young age, they can simply do what they already know to do -- color or draw.
If you find your kids turning flips during prayer time or slapping each other or laughing or eating or walking out of the room to get a toy, or I could go on and on (not from experience of course -- feel free to share your own story in the comments), you may want to invest in this book. Summer is a great time to get started.
Here is an example of one of Sarah's colorful prayers:
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
The Funniest People in My House
I started a blog this year because someone told me they can be published. I'm not the best at keeping a journal. I have notes throughout the house, I've started journals different times over the years in different notebooks and I have entries on my computer. But, I thought this would be the best place to keep everything together for my kids -- pictures, events, memories, and even some of the funny or sweet things they've said. So, I'm digging through drawers finding old quotes that I've jotted down, and I'll be adding to this post as I find memories I've scattered about. The dates will be scattered about as well.
7.13.07
Sarah did not want to go to Mimi's tonight. I told Sarah to tell her why when she came to pick them up. Sarah told mom, "You know when you've been somewhere a lot and you don't want to go because you've been there so much..." Mom said, (kidding) "I don't understand." Abby said, "She's not coming." --Perfect example of their personalities. Sarah trying to break it gently without hurting feelings while Abby is cutting to the chase.
12.30.07
We were watching Underdog tonight, and they said "butt." Sarah said, "Ooh, they said the 'b' word." A few minutes later, they said stupid, and Abby said, "Ooh, they said the 'b' word."
1.8.08
Sarah's tummy has been hurting in the morning. I told her mine and Chris's has been hurting too, and it's probably drainage. She said, "maybe it's morning sickness."
Sarah's words '06
cazebo for gazebo
carchoal for charcoal
Abby's words '06
clowns for clouds
6.14.07
I tried to get Sarah to try on some pants at Old Navy and she said, "No, they're too sixy." She wouldn't tell me where she heard it, but I think she got it confused with turning six yesterday. She was prissy one night, and said again, "I don't know why I'm being so sixy." I asked what that means, and she said, "You know, how you act when you turn six."
7.5.07
Last night, Sarah came in the den and said she had something important to tell us. Before we went to bed, we went to her room. She said she asked Jesus into her heart and asked if she could be baptized Sunday. We asked her some questions. She said she was telling Abby about going to heaven. She prayed for Abby to go to heaven then asked Jesus into her heart. She said, "when I finished, I was like 'okay' why did I just do that." She said she wants a clean heart. She wants to be baptized. Her face was glowing, and she was smiling and so excited. She said her heart felt "kindof different."
Abby said she didn't want to go to heaven. She wants to stay home. Sarah told her heaven is like going home. She said it's like vacation but you get to stay forever.
7.13.07
Sarah did not want to go to Mimi's tonight. I told Sarah to tell her why when she came to pick them up. Sarah told mom, "You know when you've been somewhere a lot and you don't want to go because you've been there so much..." Mom said, (kidding) "I don't understand." Abby said, "She's not coming." --Perfect example of their personalities. Sarah trying to break it gently without hurting feelings while Abby is cutting to the chase.
12.30.07
We were watching Underdog tonight, and they said "butt." Sarah said, "Ooh, they said the 'b' word." A few minutes later, they said stupid, and Abby said, "Ooh, they said the 'b' word."
1.8.08
Sarah's tummy has been hurting in the morning. I told her mine and Chris's has been hurting too, and it's probably drainage. She said, "maybe it's morning sickness."
Sarah's words '06
cazebo for gazebo
carchoal for charcoal
Abby's words '06
clowns for clouds
6.14.07
I tried to get Sarah to try on some pants at Old Navy and she said, "No, they're too sixy." She wouldn't tell me where she heard it, but I think she got it confused with turning six yesterday. She was prissy one night, and said again, "I don't know why I'm being so sixy." I asked what that means, and she said, "You know, how you act when you turn six."
7.5.07
Last night, Sarah came in the den and said she had something important to tell us. Before we went to bed, we went to her room. She said she asked Jesus into her heart and asked if she could be baptized Sunday. We asked her some questions. She said she was telling Abby about going to heaven. She prayed for Abby to go to heaven then asked Jesus into her heart. She said, "when I finished, I was like 'okay' why did I just do that." She said she wants a clean heart. She wants to be baptized. Her face was glowing, and she was smiling and so excited. She said her heart felt "kindof different."
Abby said she didn't want to go to heaven. She wants to stay home. Sarah told her heaven is like going home. She said it's like vacation but you get to stay forever.
9.26.09
Abby -- “Daddy, I think my booty just threw up.”
Cooper -- “I’m done, Suzanne.” (on the potty)
Abby -- “Why do we have to put on clean underwear? We always have to do that!”
10.13.09
Cooper just said that God will send a text to his heart. Guess he knows those are two important things in our house.
10.26.09
Sarah was telling me about a competition at school today and about the ribbons everyone received. She said blue was first place, red was second place, white was third place, and yellow meant “horrible.” -- “honorable”
12.15.09
I was telling the kids this morning about Whitney being in Iraq and how we are going to send him a Christmas card since he has to be away from his family. Abby said, “How did he get in a rock?”
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