Every Day's A Dream

Monday, March 23, 2009

The Popsicle Stick Cross

Judah has moved up to the Pre-school-Kindergarten class at church. Since he is at the low end of the age group, there are a lot of things taught in class that he doesn't fully grasp yet. Yesterday though, their lesson was on Jesus' sacrifice for our sins. Judah brought home a popsicle stick cross with a piece of paper glued to it. The paper said, "Jesus took my punishment." Last night when Steve and I were tucking Judah in to bed and praying with him, he asked for his cross. We gave it to him and talked about what that statement meant. We then prayed with Judah and thanked Jesus for loving us so much that He took our punishment. Today when I put Judah down for his nap, he asked to look at the cross again. I gave it to him and asked him if he remembered what it said. He told me word-for-word what it said and then began to tell me about Jesus going into the cave and then rolling the stone away and not being in the cave any longer. I was amazed that he was finally getting old enough to grasp the lessons that he is being taught (by us and at church). It touches my heart so deeply to know that Judah is starting to understand what Jesus did for him and that he realizes just how much Jesus loves him.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Better Late Than Never

Okay, so I finally got around to taking Judah's 3 year pictures. I don't think they turned out quite as well as his 2 year pictures but I didn't have as much time for our photo shoot this time around. I hope you like them anyway. Judah's a pretty cute subject so how could I go wrong? :) I will be mailing "real" photos to grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. in a couple of days so be looking for your copy in the mail sometime next week.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Snack Time

The other day, Judah and I were driving home from the gym. He was eating a snack. After a while, I noticed that he was sniffling a lot and sounding kind of stuffed up when he talked to me. I turned and asked him if he was feeling okay. This is the conversation that followed:

Teri: You sound kind of stuffed up, Judah. Are you feeling okay?
Judah: No, Mommy, I don't feel good. My nose hurts.
Teri: Your NOSE hurts?!

PAUSE...

Judah: Mommy, I put a peanut up my nose.
Teri: A PEANUT up your nose?!
Judah: Uh-huh
Teri: When we get home we'll try to get it out.
Judah: Okay, Mommy.

When we got home, we tried to blow it out into a kleenex with no luck. We waited a little longer and tried again and, voila!, 1/2 a peanut flew out! He's such a boy! :)

Monday, February 2, 2009

All In God's Timing

Many of you have been praying for a job for Steve here in the Quad Cities. Thank you! Your prayers have been answered. Steve was hired at Heritage Church (Bettendorf, IA campus) as the Children's Ministry Coordinator. For now, the job is 30 hours a week but we are hopeful that the position will go full-time in May when the new budget year begins (if you want to keep praying for that one, please feel free!). Steve is LOVING his new position--it is what God has gifted him for and filled him with a passion for children and families. We are really blessed to be part of the Heritage family. God is really at work here! I think the latest # of salvation decisions is at 15 for 2009 or something like that. Awesome! Many people are being baptized as well. The Bettendorf campus is relatively new and every weekend we are breaking the record of highest attendance! People's lives are being transformed by Jesus and it is so exciting to see!!

We are holding off on buying a house at this point. We are hesitant to buy just yet since there is no guarantee of Steve's being hired on full-time in May. In the meantime, God is continuing to teach us to wait on Him. A great lesson to be learned! My gracious parents seem willing to put up with us for a bit longer so we're laying low at their place until God's timing is right. The plan is to buy a house in Bettendorf, Iowa when that time comes. We'll keep you posted!

Daddy-Son Adventures

Steve is always so good about doing fun things with Judah. Here are a couple of examples...

The Making of a Snowman

You know The Crocodile Hunter...Now meet:
The Snake Hunter

Can it really be...that Judah is now 3?!

On December 30th, Judah "got 3" as he calls turning 3. I can hardly believe that three years have passed since God brought Judah into our lives. As any parent will tell you, life is never the same after you have children. What I never knew though was how much richer my life could possibly be by adding this little guy to it.

As I watched Judah play in his bubble bath this morning, I had a flashback to the very first bath I gave him after bringing him home from the hospital. He was so tiny (and so slippery!) and I was terrified that I would drop him or somehow hurt him. I look at him today and he has grown so much in the last 3 years. He is so strong, intelligent, funny, animated, strong-willed, caring, thoughtful, curious, healthy...

Judah is a little boy that we are so very proud of. Three years ago I wouldn't have even been able to imagine what his personality would be like or what things he would like to play with, what would be his favorite foods, etc. Nor could I have ever imagined how deeply I love this little guy. Somehow it seems as if our very souls are intertwined. I am so very blessed to be your mommy, Judah. Thank you for the laughter, joy, lessons and hugs that you bring into my life each and every day. I pray that I never take one second that I get to spend with you for granted. I love you, Judah!

Here are a few pictures from Judah's birthday parties (one at each grandparents' house). Also a couple of pictures from Christmas since it was just a few days before his birthday. Judah and his cousins put on a Christmas play of the Nativity for us. The photo where they're dressed like sheep, etc. is from that play. I've also included a short video from his party at Grandma and Poppy Meek's house.