The prodigal son and character training

Our guest speaker at morning services spoke about the prodigal son. He spoke from experience, having been a prodigal and having a son that was still a prodigal. His testimony was very eye-opening.....and heartbreaking.

One of my worst fears, I think, is that my sons will turn their backs on God. I live with this daily since their father hasn't made a commitment himself to Christ. I want them to know God and to enjoy a daily relationship with him. I wasn't taught how to do this as a child either, so I find it very difficult to instill this in them. I feel like I am floundering in the water sometimes. I am frustrated that I feeling like I am failing at something that is so very, very important to their lives.

This year we are reading the Bible together every morning. I tend to want to rush through this, but I am trying to open the table for questions and discussion. I want them to feel able to discuss things with me and for us to be able to seek the answers if I don't have them. I know that I don't have all the answers!!!!! We are also going to start character training. I am using Plants Grown Up from Doorposts for this. I want as much of our focus to be on how our behavior and attitudes look like in God's eyes. This includes ME as well. On that front I have been reading Beauty in God's Eyes by Elizabeth George. This book is touching me on many fronts. It is an in-depth study of Proverbs 31. If I am able to process all the information in that book I will have developed a lot of wisdom. Wisdom is from God and I hope to be able to obtain God's wisdom for me and my life.

On the baby front.......
I have an appointment Wednesday morning. I will have my gestational diabetes test then. I have been having TONS of braxton hicks contractions. By evening my stomach area HURTS. I don't really remember braxton hicks hurting this bad. It isn't unbearable but it is uncomfortable. I am hoping to be reassured by the doctor that all is well. At 25 weeks it is WAY too early for this little one to be making his appearance. He sure is kicking.......all the time. I am so thankful that I am able to enjoy feeling this little angel move inside of me.....that is the biggest privilege of impending mother-hood I think :)

We are still off school this week. Norman starts vacation on Wednesday so I didn't see any point in starting again for 2 days. We will begin again the Monday after he goes back to work.

I hope that all of my readers are well. I will try to update after my appointment.
Blessings,
Carie

Time is Flying By

We have been so busy and time has been flying by, but sometimes the days seems to DRAG........I just don't understand it.

Right now I am concentrating on moving school from the back of our living room (I had it set up like a little school room with desks and everything) to our kitchen. I thought of doing this a while back but figured that the boys would revolt at losing their desks..........they brought it up a week or so ago and so now we are moving! In lieu of desks I bought sterilite 3 drawer units on rollers. I get the top drawer of each and the boys get the bottom 2. We have trays and tubs set on top to hold stuff that we all use. It will be a couple of weeks before we use these though.....Lee is leaving for a week of church camp on Sunday. I am hoping to convince Norman to either build or buy another set of bookshelves to put additional school stuff in the living room and then I will probably contemplate how to reorganize the living room furniture to maximize space before the baby arrives.

Speaking of the baby..................I am getting ready to register at Walmart, probably next week. We bought the cutest little pair of blue puppy dog booties the other day. I just love them. I can't wait until baby gets here........I am overjoyed with anticipation :)

The weather is delightful here today and I am so glad that it isn't sooooo hot again. I know that it is still July and it will be hot again, but I am enjoying it while it is here.

Well, I suppose that I should find something to fill my time. I seem to be at a loss of things to do today.....I don't want to do what needs to be done LOL. I suppose that I could go eat some more sweet corn now :) Baby would like that anyway!

Blessings,
Carie

And our baby is a............

Boy!!!!!!


The ultrasound made our baby's gender VERY obvious......the ultrasound tech wasn't even looking and saw his "private parts" LOL

I have to admit that I am a little disappointed.....I had truly hoped that this time would be a girl, but we are very excited about our new little one and so very grateful to God that he seems to be healthy. He is head up, which explains all the kicking in my pelvic region. I really wish that he would flip and kick at my rib cage for a while :) His growth seemed to be right on track for his gestational age. We have several pictures to keep us content until he decides to make an appearance. Now we just have to come up with a name!!!!!

Blessings,
Carie

Back to School

We are back to school again already :) Our first day was July 2nd. We completed 2 days last week and 2 days so far this week. Since we are doing 4-day Sonlight that means that we have officially completed a week of school! Those 4 days went fabulous. Our days seem to be longer but that is to be expected, I suppose, with a 2nd grader and a 5th grader. The boys are liking Sonlight. I am surprised that there haven't been any moans from the "peanut gallery" but they are loving the books. Absolutely loving them :)

We have tomorrow off due to our ultrasound appointment. I will post about the baby after the appointment tomorrow. Have a great evening!

Blessings,
Carie