When I was going through pictures tonight, I found some from our last snow. I'm not in a single one...and I don't mind because the pictures I have are special to the Daddy in this house. :)
Snowball!
And framing these next two for Daddy...
I love this man. He's a great husband. He's a great Daddy.
I've been trying to process my thoughts on this topic for a couple of weeks, but I'd love to hear your input.
===
I shelter my kids. A LOT. And I mean to do it. I do it on purpose.
When we are in the car, the only music we listen to is Christian music (and on very special occasions fun, CLEAN, fast songs that just make us act silly). We typically listen to Seeds Family Worship - which is a fun and uplifting way for all of us to learn and meditate on Bible verses. The Bible verses are set to great music and most songs are sung by children. It's precious to hear my kids' little voices sing along. Melts my heart each time.
At home, we do not watch TV that has "real" people in it. Ella Beth is 3, and Landon is 2. Everything they watch on TV is animated. We let them watch Barney, Strawberry Shortcake (sorry Landon!), Little Bear (a huge favorite for the kiddos and the parents!), The Berenstain Bears, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Our kiddos don't watch TV every day, nor do they watch more than a couple of these a day when the tube is on.
We read uplifting books and magazines together.
We talk in terms of our values and manners. We discuss how we should treat each others and those we love. We talk about how much we love our family and friends.
That's pretty much it.
And we are perfectly OK with that. In fact, that's exactly what we strive for.
Firstly, our kiddos are 3 and 2. They are young, and their spirits are tender.
Secondly, when we surround our children with uplifting Truth, then those are the values they know.
As most of you know, I've really been struggling lately with God and Ella Beth's health. But in all of my struggles...in all of my fightin' words and flying fists...I have known that God loves me. That the God of the universe, the God of creation and life...He loves me and in Him I find salvation.
During these past few months, the darkest in my life in terms of my faith and trust, I have also been sheltering myself. I have only listened to Christian music. Songs like "Lead Me" and "Whatever You're Doing" by Sanctus Real, and "Before the Morning" and "Savior Please" by Josh Wilson, and "Hold My Heart" by Tenth Avenue North...those songs have been my life-blood these past few months. Songs that sing of God's love. His truth. Also the North Point AWAKE cd.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not close-minded and completely set apart from the rest of the world. I love me some country music and fun pop music that causes me to hop out of my seat and dance! And I'm a sucker for a good chick flick. :)
But what I need is Truth in my life.
I've been sheltering my own heart by not allowing it to be invaded by any other influence other than the ONLY influence that I need. I know how vulnerable my heart is, and how easily influenced it can be by this world.
The same is true of my children's hearts. They are the most impressionable and vulnerable little hearts. I want to protect them.
I want to shelter them.
So I do. As much as motherly possible.
--
Do you?
I've been trying to process my thoughts on this topic for a couple of weeks, but I'd love to hear your input.
===
I shelter my kids. A LOT. And I mean to do it. I do it on purpose.
When we are in the car, the only music we listen to is Christian music (and on very special occasions fun, CLEAN, fast songs that just make us act silly). We typically listen to Seeds Family Worship - which is a fun and uplifting way for all of us to learn and meditate on Bible verses. The Bible verses are set to great music and most songs are sung by children. It's precious to hear my kids' little voices sing along. Melts my heart each time.
At home, we do not watch TV that has "real" people in it. Ella Beth is 3, and Landon is 2. Everything they watch on TV is animated. We let them watch Barney, Strawberry Shortcake (sorry Landon!), Little Bear (a huge favorite for the kiddos and the parents!), The Berenstain Bears, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Our kiddos don't watch TV every day, nor do they watch more than a couple of these a day when the tube is on.
We read uplifting books and magazines together.
We talk in terms of our values and manners. We discuss how we should treat each others and those we love. We talk about how much we love our family and friends.
That's pretty much it.
And we are perfectly OK with that. In fact, that's exactly what we strive for.
Firstly, our kiddos are 3 and 2. They are young, and their spirits are tender.
Secondly, when we surround our children with uplifting Truth, then those are the values they know.
As most of you know, I've really been struggling lately with God and Ella Beth's health. But in all of my struggles...in all of my fightin' words and flying fists...I have known that God loves me. That the God of the universe, the God of creation and life...He loves me and in Him I find salvation.
During these past few months, the darkest in my life in terms of my faith and trust, I have also been sheltering myself. I have only listened to Christian music. Songs like "Lead Me" and "Whatever You're Doing" by Sanctus Real, and "Before the Morning" and "Savior Please" by Josh Wilson, and "Hold My Heart" by Tenth Avenue North...those songs have been my life-blood these past few months. Songs that sing of God's love. His truth. Also the North Point AWAKE cd.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not close-minded and completely set apart from the rest of the world. I love me some country music and fun pop music that causes me to hop out of my seat and dance! And I'm a sucker for a good chick flick. :)
But what I need is Truth in my life.
I've been sheltering my own heart by not allowing it to be invaded by any other influence other than the ONLY influence that I need. I know how vulnerable my heart is, and how easily influenced it can be by this world.
The same is true of my children's hearts. They are the most impressionable and vulnerable little hearts. I want to protect them.
I want to shelter them.
So I do. As much as motherly possible.
--
Do you?
Daddy planted LOTS of daffodils along the edge of our back yard. Daffodils bloom each year. Daffodils are pretty.
Two sweet lovely gentle wild children are happy to be outside!
Girl child enjoys the flowers.
Girl child shares flowers with boy child.
Girl child takes flowers and poses (completely unprompted) by a tree and asks me to take her picture. Of course, I say yes!
Boy child runs to tree and says "meeeeeeeeeee!" Yes, you, too!
Flowers are forgotten.
The end.
1.
My hands are small; please don't expect perfection whenever I make a
bed, draw a picture, or throw a ball. My legs are short; please slow
down so that I can keep up with you.
3.
Housework will always be there. I'm only little for a short time,
please take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world and
do so willingly.
5.
I am a special gift from God; please treasure me as God intended you to
do, holding me accountable for my actions, giving me guidelines to live
by and disciplining me in a loving manner.
7.
Please give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself. Permit
me to fail, so that I can learn from my mistakes. Then someday I'll be
prepared to make the kinds of decisions that life requires of me.
9.
Please don't be afraid to leave for a weekend together. Kids need
vacations from parents, just as parents need vacations from kids.
Besides, it's a great way to show us kids that your marriage is very
special.
Landon turned 2 last weekend, and we had a fun-tastic party to celebrate! We don't go overboard for much in the Castleberry household, but for birthdays...we tend to celebrate hard! It's twice a year for us, and we hope that Landon's birthday and Ella Beth's birthday create lasting memories for them.
Landon is very much into Lightning McQueen (and most other toys with 4 wheels!). His cake turned out amazing!
Family portrait.
Landon showing off his forced smile. :)
For Christmas Landon received this roller coaster from Scott's parents. We had it set up at his party, and it was a HUGE hit among all of the kiddos!
(The basketball goal seen in the background was one of Landon's presents from my mom "Mimi." Also a huge hit at the party!)
Landon received way too many lots of great presents - cars, clothes, cars, a basketball goal, cars...He loved it all! He also had l-o-t-s of help opening his gifts. :)
We were so blessed to celebrate Landon's big day turning 2 with many family and friends.
(Ella Beth and her "favorite friend" Jocelyn. Love these two girls together!)
Ella Beth is already asking how much longer it is until her birthday because she wants a "fun party just like Landon's!"
We loved every minute of it.
Happy Birthday, sweet fella!
