The Last Shall Be First....

I'm not really sure where to start today with this new blogging format (not blogging in a "daily journal" format but more of a summary of highlights and not every day). What's most on my mind is being really out of sync because J's "schedule" the last couple days has been really off. I can see how having a basic schedule is so helpful for both of us, and how hard it can be when it's off. So over the weekend J got up earlier than normal. It was 6:30am Friday and 4:30am Saturday when usually he's getting up between 7:30/8:30am. He did go back to sleep a bit on Saturday but his afternoon naps have been late and he's been really ornery and difficult from dinner time on. He was crying at the drop of a hat and even fighting going to sleep which is rare. I went through four cycles of putting him to bed, crying nonstop, soothing and putting back to bed, sleeping finally after 10pm. We've been so blessed that he doesn't usually fight sleep, so I can't complain. Somehow I just think his little internal clock was off a bit. Meal time has been a bit harder too with J getting less sleep than normal. Today, things seem to be pretty much back to normal with no major breakdowns or sleep issues. Yay!

As far as the past several days, his time at Pal Zone stood out. That's a play group that we go to on Wednesdays with open play, circle/story time, songs and a craft. I'm glad I decided to change my schedule around so we can keep going. I realized how much I've seen him grow through this with open play time with a lot of different kids and structured activities to follow. We also get together with two other moms and their little girls usually every Monday. This also has been great for them learning how to share and play together. The moms get some good adult time. We also do some craft projects too.

I was excited to start up again in our mom's Titus group at church. I've been asked to be a greeter and open doors for moms as they come in. I enjoyed doing this and was blessed later by the mentor mom who was our keynote speaker. Barb shared a great story about moving out of our comfort zones and learning more about being stretched in trusting the Lord for how things will turn out.

My husband's good friend lost his mom this week. She was a wonderful southern gal and passionate Christian who lived to the age of 92. We made the decision to take J to her funeral, which was the first one he's been to. He kept asking what we were doing and where we were and it was a bit hard for him to understand. He met Wilda before and so I explained we were there to celebrate Wilda's life who had left here to go to heaven to be with Jesus. The only time we've talked about death was after our cat Rio died, so I was able to remind him of that and I think he started to get it when he said, "now there's 2 of them in heaven". He was very curious about the cemetery and was looking at the grave stones like ones with photos and picture engravings. He wasn't disruptive at all which was such a blessing. Although, we did sit far away from the main area during the service at the funeral home since J is still learning to use an "inside" voice.


We have had a few days of wonderful weather this week, and Friday night was just beautiful. We didn't even need jackets and we spent most of the evening downtown. The three of us had dinner then walked along State Street and to our student union. Today (Monday) started out a little cold and drizzly but then ended up being beautiful with the sun coming out and reaching over 70 degrees. Just perfect.

Devotional Time
My time with the Lord, although it hasn't been every day, has been good. I'm really seeing a theme coming up over and over again and I sense the Lord speaking loudly! I'm trying to have the ears to listen. Matthew 19:30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

First, what's interesting to me is that I don't remember my mom quoting a lot from the bible yet this verse is one I remember her saying so often. Yet even then I never understood it. Part of how I think God is instructing me is like my heart is being tested to see what's there when literally I am "last" in something, or inconvenienced/not "first" or getting my way. I relate getting my way in things to being "first". There were three times in one day that it hit me I was "last" in something that I wanted to be "first" in and how uptight and even angry I got about it. Yet I caught myself when I found this verse coming in to my head and I'm asking the Lord to keep teaching me. I just love when I sense the Lord's hand like this, yet it is a bit overwhelming right now to see how often this comes up for me. This is another verse that has come to mind that I am studying as I seek to gain wisdom. Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Lastly, somehow our camera has gone missing. I last used it Thursday night and I found out on Sunday that I cannot find it anywhere! It is such an integral part of how I'm documenting our life and a huge part of the blog. I really hope it shows up. This is the actually the second time I'll be without a camera so I'll have to figure something out soon. In the meantime, at least at home I'll be able to use my husband's camera but it's an expensive one so I won't be toting it anywhere.

Photo credit: Journeying Down Life's Never-ending Road

A pool party and family time at the Y

The last couple mornings I've been waking up and going in to J's room and opening the windows wide. Each morning has had a beautiful blue, cloudless sky. I just sat in front of the open window and let the breeze blow over me enjoying the crispness and freshness of the morning air. We had story time at the library this morning. The topic was rain. Again, it is great to see J participating in the songs. Our craft was making an umbrella. It was nice to see a mom from our Titus group there.

I worked out at the Y while J playing in the nursery. Mid-way through I had to change his diaper. As I was picking him up he said, "I want to go home." I explained I would soon be done with my work out. He said "I want to go home with mommy." Then he said, "Mommy's workin'." I said, "Yes, I'm working out on the machine." At home I got J his lunch and then right away put him down for his nap. Our Titus mentor mom (this is an older mom who has already raised her kids) invited us to come over and swim at her house so I wanted J to get a decent nap.

We had a great time at the pool party hosted by our Titus mentor mom. We were the first ones there and we were running about 20 minutes late. We ended up having about 5 of the moms from our group there with their little ones. J couldn't wait to get in the water. He kept saying "I'm swimming" to anyone near. He floated on a raft with a couple other kids. We did some jumping off the side of the pool on the count of three and J would say "here comes me!" before he'd jump. I noticed he is now doing the things that he learned about in swimming lessons. Most he didn't want to do at the time when they were scripted, but now he's enjoying doing them on his own. Like putting his face in the water to try and blow bubbles. He doesn't get blowing out yet, he just takes in water. I had so much fun too, it was so relaxing.


We got home and had dinner and then went to the Y. Daddy got a workout while J and I went to the gym where they had the inflatable bouncers up for the kids. There were 3 other kids in there for about 15 minutes and then J and I had it to ourselves. Most people were going to the fireworks show but we're going somewhere tomorrow to see them. He started in the little one and then the guy told me he could go in the big one if I went with him.


We had so much fun playing together and I was laughing so hard my stomach hurt. J was trying to chase me but it was so bouncy he kept falling down and we were both laughing so hard. It was great. We stopped by our friend's house (from our life group) afterward just to say a quick hello and they were very welcoming. J played with legos and cars while we were able to catch up a bit. J was so happy saying "I have a spider man shirt" which is his favorite shirt I picked up at a garage sale. It was late when we got home and way past J's bedtime. You wouldn't guess it by his energy though. It was a fun night.

Raining all day

During breakfast, I was reading A Place of Quiet Rest. It has been good to think about the time that I spend with the Lord more in depth and also gain ideas to enhance that time. She is encouraging as she shares to face the work of every day with the influence of some quiet, thoughtful moments spent with God.

J and I went to the last Titus meeting of the semester. It was a wonderful brunch with a garden party theme. The decorations were so lovely with live plants and flowers, trellises and candles throughout the room. We were able to share what we'd like to see next fall. I mentioned a guest speaker talking about home schooling would be really good. Also, more focus on being able to pray for one another as this has been on my heart. We were invited to lunch but had to take a rain check so I could make my bible study in time. We started the book of Ecclesiastes. Some felt that this book is depressing, yet others said it encouraged them by remembering how empty the world really is and that fulfillment is found in a relationship with Christ that will last forever.

I was reading the end of Luke 4 in my devotional time today. Here Jesus reached out to people in their homes. He healed Simon's mother and the interesting part is that immediately she got up and started serving them. Her focus wasn't on herself, it was on giving back. The next morning, Jesus rose early to be by himself with God. He did this a lot. I had to ask myself if I'm willing to do that. Get up early to spend some time alone with God. I'll have to pray for strength in that. One area that's been an answer to prayer is having more patience with J. I'm finding it especially in the times he's the most challenging when he's tired and cranky or having a bit of a tantrum, God is helping me stay calm. Thank you Lord!

We had nothing on the agenda for the evening, so daddy, J and I enjoyed some fresh air while taking a walk around the neighborhood. It was a little brisk as it cooled down from the day. It was bath night, so J enjoyed playing in the tub for a while before going to bed. He still doesn't like getting his head wet when I wash him.

Today was drippy and wet with light steady rain all day. We hung out indoors reading books and playing with J's new Disney car track set he got from our babysitter.

Today I finished up Luke 4 in my devotional time. Jesus says in verse 43, I must preach the good news because that is why I was sent. And he kept on preaching in the synagogues. Beth highlights here the main focus of Jesus' ministry, to preach the good news. Healing people was helpful for this life, but only the gospel would impact people for eternity. Regardless of how many people were pulling him in different directions, he kept with his main priority.

J woke up early from his morning nap. We hung out on mommy's bed and cuddled for a bit before going down for lunch. He was busy playing this afternoon when all of a sudden he was crying like he got hurt. I came over and checked him over and he looked fine so I just rocked him and held him until he calmed down. A bit later, I was changing his diaper when I noticed his eye had a big bruised spot that was swelling. From asking him, I think somehow he hit himself with one of the cars right below his eye. I can't picture what he did though. I held an ice pack on it to stop the swelling, although he didn't enjoy it. Now it's turning into a little shiner. :(

We had "scubbidy" (spaghetti) tonight which ends up being really messy for J. At L's urging, I went online and bought a couple pocket bibs that have a scoop to catch spills. Hopefully less clean up! After dinner, J had a lot of fun with some new toys he got from L's coworker. The toys had buttons with sounds which he can't seem to get enough of. Daddy's putting J to bed tonight. I hear a lot of noise and some singing. Sounds like they're having fun.