Things I can't make up

Life in our house often presents itself with situations and conversations that I simply couldn't make up if I even tried.

1) I worked out this morning for the first time in 9 months. It wasn't pretty. When I was done Elijah said, "So, Mom, are you going to loose like 100 pounds?" I replied, "Do you think I need to loose 100 pounds?" "Well, yes. And you should look like that girl in the first Transformers."

2) In the van on the way home from picking up Elijah yesterday John started a sentence with, "You know, when I was a little boy..." I didn't hear the rest because I was laughing too hard.

3) I have recently started laying Daniel down on a small playmat. I hung some toys from it to try to stimulate his little brain. Yesterday when I peaked at him he was smiling and cooing at a little dog, ducky, bunny toy. We affectionately named them, "his little friends".

4) John gravitates between really loving me and really not liking me, depending on which side of the Anderson law he is currently on. One day he got right in my face and told me that he did not like me anymore and would no longer play with me. He was quite suprised when I smiled and told him I didn't really like his behavior but I sure loved him. "Weeelll,(he draws it out southern style) I don't like your behavior and I'm still not going to play with you!"

5) Elijah has decided that a certain 1st grade girl is really pretty and so he spends his recess chasing her or trying to get away from his buddies who try to capture him and bring him to her. We have had several conversations about the Anderson law of not dating until you are 25 and no kissing girls until you are married (except for Mom, Auntie Sara, and Grandmas). Elijah has since decided that the girl is not that pretty afterall because, "She doesn't love Jesus." That's my boy!

No Other Gods

I am reading the book "No Other Gods" by Kelly Minter. Truthfully I am mostly reading it because my dearly beloved bought it for me for Christmas. There isn't a thing in that book that I don't already know. I am sure that sounds prideful or arrogant, however, it is the truth.

Ms. Minter asserts in her book that one of the paramount reasons we all seek idols is because of a "powerful ache of being unloved or perpetually unchosen." I don't disagree. Much of my life has been wrapped up in the pursuit of approval from those around me. And when I don't have people around me, it is in the pursuit of people to get around me so that I can pursue their approval. (Whew! It makes me tired just thinking of all that pursuit.)

But when I look at my life and I look at how I spend my time I know my main idol is the worthless box that sits in my living room flashing pictures and sound at me. I know I should turn it off, unplug it, maybe even throw it away. But I don't want to. That worthless box numbs my mind, gives me a quick "fix" of fiction, allows me to relax.

What I am really missing is a love relationship with my Heavenly Father. What I am really missing is a hunger and thirst for righteousness. What I am really missing is a desire so deep and driving that I can't stop myself from growing closer to Him.

And so I begin the journey of tearing away from the grip of the TV. I pray Psalm 119:37, "Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word." I pray for a hunger and thirst for the word of God because I know it is what sustains man.

Four Weeks of Growth

Here is a quick glimpse at the growth Daniel has experienced in the past 4 weeks. I am always amazed at how quickly my sons grow.

Coming home from the hospital on December 23. (The day I expected him to be born. Good thing we went early, the mom war was overbooked!)

Getting chubby cheeks already at two weeks.

First bottle at 3 weeks.

Trying to get that elusive smile during week 4.

One Word for 2012

Abide: to remain stable or fixed in a state ; to continue in a place; to conform to

2012 is the year of abiding. And truth be told 2011 should have been as well. I felt the Lord put it on my heart but I chose not to commit to it; I chose not to obey.

2011 brought me through the long wait of selling the house and the long wait to get pregnant. I learned patience (again) and that I am not in control (again). 2011 brought me through the difficult process of learning the value of people and relationships over material goods.

Probably the most difficult part of 2011 and the part the most clearly revealed my need to abide came in December. I came face to face with the very real, the very daily reality, that none of us are guaranteed a tomorrow. I realized how much I depend on my husband instead of the Lord. A stroke, an eye doctor, a neurologist, and a cardiologist all revealed that I don't really want God's will, unless of course it means I get what I want. It revealed hypocrisy and ugliness in my heart. Sin. Big, ugly, sin.

Abide is what I need to do in 2012. I feel a bit like God has brought me low in order to show me the joy that arises from looking up. I am too weary to be the vine.

I am the vine; you are the branch. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

Daniel Jeffrey

I have been trying to blog for the last 21 days but this little man named Daniel likes to snuggle with his mama. And, frankly, I love each and every snuggle with him because I am accutely aware that this time goes by way to quickly.

His coming was a suprise and came with never before experienced labor pains. I have to say I am very thankful that my Lord saw fit to make me a c-section mom; I am also very thankful for those who study those wonderful pain blocking injections! What wasn't a suprise was that he filled my heart so quickly. Most people know I was rooting for a girl. It is still my desire to have a daughter but in no way was I dissapointed when my doctor announced, "It's a boy!" I have always loved boys (just ask my sister or my dad). And truthfully I cannot argue with God's plan for our family, who knows what Daniel will accomplish in his life.

So far Daniel has been a sweet baby who loves to eat but is not too keen on sleeping in his bed. He will eventually learn to love that crib sheet his Mama labored over the weekend before he was born! He is well loved by his brothers. In fact, one of the things that touches my heart the most has been watching John become a big brother. He adores Daniel and sings to him and loves on him and plays with him and tells him stories and worries about him when he cries. Elijah, on the other hand, is much like his father. He loves Daniel and holding him but the second Daniel gets fussy he needs the noise to stop and Mama to take him and make it stop.

Daniel is named after Daniel in the Bible. The man who loved God so much that the threat of a night with lions would not deter him from praying and seeking the Lord. The man who trusted God would protect him and was not at all suprised when those big lions were like kittens in the presence of an angel of the Lord.

Jeffrey comes from our good friend, Big Jeff. Jeff seeks the Lord, leads his family, and runs a business with so much integrity. He is generous and loving and most of all a really fun guy.

This post sort of rambles but that is the state of my brain these days. While I love Daniel, I have to say the interrupted sleep is not on the top of my favorites list.

Welcome to the Anderson family, Daniel Jeffrey. We are a crazy lot and I have a feeling you are going to fit in just perfectly.