Signs that I'm getting old (or that I'm a parent)

1. I much prefer wearing dress pants to jeans.

2. Music no longer provides the soundtrack to my life. I don’t find self-expression in someone else’s lyrics or a driving melody. I enjoy music, but it doesn’t speak for me the way it used to.

3. I get sick of the usual rock radio stations really quickly and switch over to…

a. talk radio (receding hairline)

b. A book on CD (getting gray), or…

c. Classical music (start working on the eulogy)

4. If there is a soundtrack to my life now, it’s the sound of my kids’ voices.

5. I like to look at pictures of Brennan when he was a baby. It gets me kind of emotional because I feel like my little boy is growing up way too fast.

6. At my next birthday I’ll cross the last of the you-can’t-do-that-until-you’re-x-years-old thresholds.

7. I like documentaries and BBC productions more than most action movies.

8. I visit cnn.com, the Richmond Times-Dispatch page and foxnews.com as much as espn.com and si.com. I also watch news programs on TV more than sports programs.

9. It's 11:30pm. I'd rather go to bed than think of a tenth item that make this list feel complete. Symmetry and tidy endings are for young people!

Kool Boyz

In the Air

There's something wonderful when the temperature climbs into the 60's. Even though it's February, it definitely felt like spring was just around the corner! We had all the windows open in the house and got to spend a huge chunk of time enjoying the backyard. Owen loved crawling all over the deck and chewing on the outdoor toys and balls. Brennan had a blast playing in his sandbox, making sand castles, and then racing around the yard, banging sticks on trees. I love this feeling of spring in the air!

Competing Spoons

Owen has been a bit reluctant to drink his bottle and eat his solids the past week or so. He seems to do best when he is able to hold something in his hand. It provides enough distraction that he's able to eat without much problem. Thankfully, his appetite seems to be coming back a little today (maybe it decreased due to his cold/cough or teething...who knows?). One of his favorite distractions while eating is holding his own spoon. He loves to stick it in his mouth and gnaw on it, particularly when I'm trying to give him food on a different spoon. Today, our competing spoons really created an interesting eating adventure!

What the Church Should Be

One thing that I love about not working (outside the home, that is) during this season of life is that I get to attend our church's women's ministry, Thrive. This semester, we are going through the book of John. The teaching we receive every week is like water quenching the dryness of the desert. I love leaving feeling refreshed and filled up.

Yesterday, we discussed John 4, the ministry of Jesus to the Samaritan woman. We dove into the topic of what it means to cross human judgmental boundaries to truly love others. And that got me thinking about what that means for the church. As we pondered the idea of people being turned off the church, my table leader, Cathy, came up with a wonderful description of what the church should be: a hospital instead of a beauty pageant.

I love the hospital analogy. Hospitals are places where sick people come to get well. They are filled with the broken, the infirm, the dying. People waiting for the touch of a physician. Beauty pageants are filled with plastic people, fake smiles plastered on their faces; everyone looks the same, with no real depth behind the lovely exterior (a little overly simplified, but go with me on this one).

I find myself longing for the hospital. I know I am in need of one. At least for me, nothing has brought my sin, my brokenness to the forefront like being a parent. I find as Brennan's latent sin nature awakens, all the sin that I've shoved deep down inside comes bubbling up as well. Two strong sin natures can't compete for long before something needs to give! And this where I find my need for the hospital is greatest. A place to find healing. A place to have the brokenness caused by sin mended again. A place to meet the Great Physician.

I know I'm not alone in the desire for a hospital. Wouldn't it be great if the church began to foster an atmosphere of transparency and security, inviting people to truly come as they are, sin and baggage and all? We shouldn't be afraid of admitting our own sin or hearing others admit theirs. Sin happens. To everyone. Rather than set ourselves up as judge and jury, why not let people know that we've heard of a great hospital where we get to meet with best physician of all?

The Samaritan woman went to that hospital. The outcast, the adulteress, of a race labeled ceremonially unclean. Jesus came to where she was. He didn't judge. He showed her love. She received His love. And, in turn, she became the catalyst for many in her town to believe in Christ.

Imagine the ramifications. The possibilities are endless if only we open ourselves up to receive our own healing from the Great Physician. And what if we then extend the same love and mercy to others in need of that same touch from Christ? Pretty exciting to think about!

Identity

Back when we saw the "Behold the Lamb of God" concert, one of the special guests was Jason Gray (props because he's also a fellow Minnesotan!). He performed one of his new songs called "I Am New". I fell in love with it immediately and have lately been really drawn to this song. It's such a fabulous reminder of who we are in Christ. Some days it feels like I need to listen to this song every hour to help myself dwell in the truth of my identity of Christ. Definitely take a listen; you won't regret it!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
--2 Corinthians 5:17

I Am New

Now I won't deny
The worst you could say about me
But I'm not defined
By mistakes that I've made
Because God says of me

I am not who I was
I am being remade
I am new
I am chosen and holy
And I'm dearly loved
I am new

Who I thought I was
And who I thought I had to be
I had to give them both up
Cause neither were willing
To ever believe

I am not who I was
I am being remade
I am new
I am chosen and holy
And I'm dearly loved
I am new

Too long I have lived
In the shadows of shame
Believing that there
Was no way I could change
But the one who is making everything new
Doesn't see me the way that I do
He doesn't see me the way that I do

I am not who I was
I am being remade
I am new
Dead to the old man,I'm coming alive
I am new

Forgiven beloved
Hidden in Christ
Made in the image of the Giver of Life
Righteous and holy
Reborn and remade
Accepted and worthy, this is our new name
This is who we are now...

By: Jason Gray, Joel Hanson

A Nazirite No More

" During the entire period of his vow of separation no razor may be used on his head. He must be holy until the period of his separation to the LORD is over; he must let the hair of his head grow long." Numbers 6:5

At least for me, there was truth to the old adage that if you have a lot of heartburn during pregnancy, your baby will have a lot of hair. Owen came out needing a haircut. His long hair has become his trademark. But...it was time. After much deliberation of when we should cut his hair, we made a trip to SportClips this morning for this special first in Owen's life. He is a Nazirite no more; his new haircut makes him look more like a little boy and not quite so baby-like anymore. Let's just hope his strength doesn't leave him now like Samson's did after his hair was cut!

9 Months Old!

Owen turns 9 months old today. Where has the time gone? After months of contentedly remaining in one spot, he has really become a roller over the past month or so. He's on the verge of crawling, so I expect and am preparing for more angst from Brennan over a more mobile baby brother!

Relative-ly Speaking

We were able to spend some time last night with my aunt and cousin. They were in town briefly to check out Virginia Commonwealth University. VCU was the third of three colleges they were visiting, so we enjoyed getting to talk up Richmond and all its greatness. It took Brennan a little while to warm up since the last time he had seen them was on his first birthday! But it was great fun to get to catch up, introduce them to Owen, and let Brennan get reacquainted with some extended family members. Maybe we'll see them again in the fall when VCU starts for the new school year?!?

Amazon Mom

Shameless plug alert: several months ago, I heard about a program sponsored by Amazon.com called Amazon Mom. After hearing about the benefits (free two-day shipping, discounts on diapers, etc.), I immediately signed up. Ah, the joy of buying diapers online for a discounted price! By participating in the "Subscribe and Save" program where you can arrange to have diapers automatically shipped to you on a predetermined schedule, you can save 30% on each pack of diapers. Score! (The upside to this S&S program is you can cancel it at anytime and the re-sign up when you need diapers next)

Today, my big order of diapers arrived. We now have two good sized boxes and some packing paper which have already provided loads of fun for the boys and will likely provide more fun until it's time for these things to mysteriously disappear. So, thank you Amazon Mom for cheap diapers and inexpensive fun for my kids.

Bedtime Fun

Last night was time to get a little silly while getting ready for bed, with a little help from a fireman's hat and some good dancing music.

Practicing his mad standing-man skills and rocking the most amazing baby hair ever

He had more fun hiding his face than actually looking at the camera

And it was great fun to wear the hat backwards

Fire Chief Owen in his fireman pajamas

Where it happens

If you've seen the movie "Amazing Grace" about William Wilberforce and his crusade to end the English slave trade, you probably, like me, got a certain measure of goosebumps at the end when Parliament finally passed the law that ended the practice in the British Empire.

It's an emotional moment, made more so by the tributes to Wilberforce by his peers, who recognized his steadfast devotion to a righteous cause that they themselves so often failed to have the courage to stand for. Can you imagine what it would have been like to be in the room when something so monumental took place? I've seen that movie a half dozen times and it never fails to make me want to make such a difference in my time. But the idea always fades.

This week it burst to life again, without having watched the movie again. I did not have the opportunity to be transported to early 19th century England, but I got what, oddly, might be the next best thing: a seat in the third row at a Virginia house of delegates committee meeting.

The setting seems innocuous enough -- perhaps even boring. I myself yawned in the middle of writing the sentence. But I was in rapt attention during the hour or so I was in that room on Thursday morning. If you've done this a hundred times, as most of my colleagues have, the impact has doubtless worn off, but not for me. It was a whole new world ... a world beyond rhetoric, bluster, promises, libel, accusations, lies, half-truths and endless debate -- everything that politics usually brings to mind.

Politics has always been a topic of discussion, a dividing point and a surefire way to turn friends into enemies, spoil moods and kills conversations. In that room though it was something else entirely: it was action. It was a moment. It was the hinge upon which the door of history turns. In that room ... it's where it happens. It's where modern day Wilberforce moments can happen. If such change is to happen in our lifetime (and it must, because there are as many horrors in this day as there were in his), it will happen in rooms like that one.

In that room dreams, idealistic goals and ambitious visions of righteous movements became attainable. Because, in the end, all you have to do is get more people to decide to act than to stay silent.

What's stopping us?

Building

We busted out the Legos while waiting for Owen to wake up this afternoon. Here, he's in process of making "Daddy's building". We've gone to visit John at work a few times, and the building must have stuck in his mind. He was so excited about his project and super focused as well! He even made it complete with a big doorway and a hallway. Gotta love Legos!

On Our Nightstand, Part 9

Since I haven't posted one of these in a while, I have some catching up to do! Here's some of the books that we (I) have read recently that I'd recommend.

1. "Firefly Lane" by Kristin Hannah
2. The "Redemption" series by Karen Kingsbury
3. "1-2-3 Magic" by Thomas Phelan
4. "The Town That Food Saved: How One Community Found Vitality in Local Food" by Ben Hewitt
5. "Eat, Pray Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert
6. "The Lost Girls: Three Friends. Four Continents. One Unconventional Detour Around the World" by Jennifer Baggett
7. "Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys" by Stephen James and David Thomas (HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone with boys!)
8. "The New Strong-Willed Child" by Dr. James Dobson

John has been listening to a number of audiobooks on his commute to work and has really been enjoying being able to redeem the time spent in the car. Brennan still loves his books and story time at the library. I'm introducing Owen to books in the hope that he will love books as much as the rest of us do. This is definitely a book-loving family!

Back to Blogging

We haven't fallen off the face of the earth! 2011 got off to a crazy start for us! We started off the year with several doctor appointments for Brennan thanks to some horrible diaper rash and a never-ending battle with his colon. Thankfully, a referral to a GI specialist has us on a path to some colon cleansing. We go back in early February to find out if things are clearing out or still backed up. It also means that potty training will not be commencing for us any time soon, but we'll just be glad to get a little regularity in his day! Then, both John and I ended up with a nasty stomach virus which took out a few days last week. We're glad neither of the boys ended up sick and that we are all in good health now, with the exception of some minor runny noses and coughs.

After a break from most things over the month of December, it's felt a little challenging to get back in our routine. I think I've only taken out our camera twice to snag some photos! But now that health has returned, I'm hoping that this week will be our first "normal" week of the year! And I'll try to do better about getting the camera out to capture some lovable moments with the boys. Stay tuned for photos!

2010: A Year in Review

January: Another snowstorm hits Richmond, shutting down the city yet again. But it gave us the chance to enjoy some sledding and snowman building. We also began some serious preparations for the coming of D2. The office was dismantled, the computer given a new home in the corner of the living room, and a blank slate was created for setting up a nursery.

February: John got into the thick of job searching, interviewing and career counseling while enjoying heaps of daddy & boy time with Brennan.

March: Brennan got to meet Clifford, the big red dog, at the Children’s Museum. It was probably the highlight of his young life! He also made the transition to a big boy bed. Naomi had some baby shower fun at work.

April: Welcome, Owen Nathanael! We were thrilled to welcome our newest addition and begin parenting man-on-man instead of zone defense.

May: We began adjusting to life as a family of four and enjoyed visits from each set of grandparents. Owen was dedicated at our church. After five months of unemployment, John began his new job at the Family Foundation.

June: We took a family trip to DC for John’s work. Our trip allowed us to visit with dear friends, the Bredbenners, and concluded with a picnic on the Washington Mall and a visit to the Museum of Natural History.

July: We spent Independence Day weekend in Newport News with dear friends. Owen rolled over at 9 weeks old!

August: Road trip to Bloomington, IN, to visit dear friends, the Franks. Return trip included a stop at the Louisville Slugger factory.

September: Labor Day picnic in Maymont. Owen began his journey into the world of solid food.

October: We participated in our yearly tradition of apple picking at Carter Mountain Orchard. For Halloween, Brennan dressed as Tigger and Owen went as a Hershey Kiss.

November: Our second (and final) road trip of the year. This time, we headed south to Florida to visit John’s family for Thanksgiving and introduce Owen to members of his extended family.

December: This was a jam-packed, fun-filled month. We opened the Christmas season with Andrew Peterson’s “Behold the Lamb of God” concert and a Bethlehem Walk. Cookie exchanges followed. Then it was time for Owen’s first Christmas. And our big boy turned three!

What will 2011 hold for us?

Just like brother

Brennan used to LOVE rocking in his exersaucer (check out this link to a previous post). It appears that this little guy is just like his brother!

Eight Months Old

Oh so lovable, kissable, squeezable! That's our Owen! He turns eight months old today and is such a fun little boy. He smiles at everyone, loves playing with his new Christmas toys, and has amazing hair. No teeth yet, but maybe soon? We'll cherish his big gummy smiles until those first little pearly whites peek through!

3!

Brennan turns 3 today! Seriously? 3 already??? But, according to him last week, he was turning 16 on his birthday, so the time really does fly!

And what a kid he is! He loves Elmo, Clifford, the moon and stars, cars (anything with wheels, actually), and is fascinated by stop signs and light poles. His vocabulary is really taking off. It seems like he busts out with a new word every single day! His current favorites are "NO", "NO WAY", "mine", and "I want to play". He has definitely entered a very challenging phase where the challenges are really, really difficult to get through. But the fun times with him are certainly enjoyable. We love his laugh, his kisses, his hugs. He loves his brother and is so happy when Owen laughs at his antics. Happy birthday, little man!

Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!

Early Birthday Shindig

With Brennan's birthday being two days after Christmas, it makes it a little difficult to plan some sort of party for him (especially when it seems like Christmas and his birthday sneaked up on us, like it did this year). So we celebrated a little early at a playgroup gathering this morning.

Brennan has a stuffed monkey that he absolutely loves, so it seemed like a monkey-themed cake would be a perfect option for him. Boy, was he excited when he found out that Mama was making monkey cupcakes for him! I was pretty proud of how they turned out, especially since this was my first time doing anything of this magnitude!


The shyness came out when we all sang "happy birthday" to him, but he loved to finally get to eat one of his monkey cupcakes. It was definitely fun to get to share this early 3rd birthday celebration with friends!


I've also been working with Brennan on telling us how old he will be on his birthday. Yesterday, he consistently answered "16". Today, his answer is "2". Soon we'll get the real answer squared away!

Up, Up, and Away

Owen has been practicing his standing skills lately. He loves to stand while holding onto our fingers. He's still a bit wobbly, but he's been getting progressively better. He had some more practice time after his morning nap today. And, no, we didn't find him like this, but the day will soon come when we will!

Jingle Jam

We attended our church's big family Christmas bash, Jingle Jam, on Saturday evening. Food, fun, and entertainment by Ben Glenn, the Chalk Guy. Brennan did a little fishing and came up with a fun toy and then created a special jingle bell necklace. Owen spent his time chilling in his stroller and then "danced" to some Christmas carols while waiting for the entertainment to commence.

Modeling his jingle bell necklace

Two little angels underneath the Christmas tree!

The Chalk Guy in action. Seriously incredible. Check out this video for a brief summary of how he does what he does. It's also very similar to the chalk art that he did for Jingle Jam.

Sleepyhead

Owen usually gets a little sleepy during his bedtime bottle, but he'll usually wake up once he's done eating. Not a couple nights ago! He was completely out and completely adorable while sleeping on Daddy's lap, just waiting for the transfer to his cozy crib.

A Divine Combo

I personally believe that peanut butter and chocolate is quite possibly the most divine combination ever created. I also happen to be married to someone who believes that peanut butter is an abomination. Because of this, I find it quite enjoyable to eat a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup and then proceed to ask him to make out--just to see the look of horror on his face. He will only indulge me if I promise to brush my teeth and then wait about an hour.

Anyway, a few months ago, I got a craving for Puppy Chow (I know some people call it Muddy Buddies, but I'm sticking with Puppy Chow). After not having had it for years, it was fun to tempt my taste buds. Brennan and I made some today as a special snack for "Shrek the Halls" tonight. We're looking forward to introducing Brennan to this new favorite Christmas show!

The Original Puppy Chow

12 oz. box Crispix cereal
1/2 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter
12 oz. pkg. chocolate chips
2 to 3 cups powdered sugar

In medium microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, peanut butter and chocolate chips and microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring once during cooking, until mixture is melted and smooth. Place the cereal in another large bowl and pour the melted mixture over the cereal. Stir until the cereal is thoroughly coated. Pour the powdered sugar into a large plastic food bag. Pour the coated cereal into the powdered sugar and shake until it is well covered with the sugar. Pour the cereal onto wax paper to cool and dry. Store in tightly covered containers at room temperature.

Christmas Blitz

We had quite the Christmas themed weekend! It started Friday night with what has become a tradition for us. We attended Andrew Peterson's "Behold the Lamb of God" concert. We have now seen it three times and are blown away by it every time. If you aren't familiar with it, it begins in the Old Testament, telling the history of Israel and the foreshadowing of Christ, culminating in the birth of Jesus. It's a Christmas concert where Santa isn't invited. We actually listen to this CD year-round. It's one of my favorite albums ever. We highly, highly recommend it!

Saturday morning, we attended a Christmas brunch at the Richmond Convention Center and got to watch the annual Christmas parade from the cozy warm confines of the building instead of joining the masses by sitting out in 30-something degree weather! It was the first parade for both boys. Owen didn't really care about it, but Brennan seemed to enjoy it, particularly the big balloons.

Saturday night, we attended the Bethlehem Walk which was hosted by a local church in partnership with several other area churches. It takes guests into first-century Bethlehem, with scenes focusing on Jesus' birth, His ministry, His death, and His resurrection. We were pretty impressed by how well-done it was. It was a pretty chilly night, but the boys did well and the random fires throughout Bethlehem helped to ward off some of the chill. This may become a yearly tradition for our household!


Sunday morning, I was thrilled to open up our blinds and discover a light dusting of snow on the ground! It helped reawaken that yearly desire for a white Christmas.


We completed the Christmas blitz by attending a cookie exchange Sunday night with other families from our playgroup. Tons of people, lots of great food and fellowship, and plenty of yummy cookies to sample there and bring home with us. A busy weekend, but definitely fun-filled!

Tree Time!

We got our tree decorated last night. Brennan was so excited when I set it up yesterday afternoon. He kept wanting to show me the Christmas tree. Decorating it was even more fun this year because Brennan really got into it and was thrilled to get to help put the ornaments on. What a great time of year!