big boy bed

Two things I want to accomplish with Jude before the baby comes is 1) potty train him and 2) move him into his big boy bed. We already have the bed because they are Jason's bunk beds from when he was little. So we put the side rail up a couple of nights ago. Ethan seemed okay with sharing a room and after I explained to Jude that it was his new bed and that he had to stay in his new bed, he had the biggest smile on his face. He just laid in the middle of the bed (without a pillow) and had a grin from ear to ear while I said goodnight and turned out the light.

This looks like trouble...but so far so good. Jude tells us everynight "my bed"....I don't think he wants to ever go back to the crib.

our little bean

As the picture clearly shows...baby Wood #3 is on her/his way! We are very excited and are expecting her/him around December 29th...hopefully closer to that date, than the 25th (Christmas). But baby is doing great...with a healthy heartbeat and the size of a small bean...right on schedule. I'm nauseous and tired but otherwise doing well. Ethan is very excited and asked if we get to keep this one. So we had to explain that foster babies are different than our very own babies...yes, we are definitely keeping this one.

arts and crafts

Since Jude has had a yucky stomach bug all weekend, Ethan has kept himself entertained on his own. He loves anything that has to do with paint or glue. I'm not sure where he got the idea of garden vegetable markers but while I was gone for the women's brunch on Saturday, Ethan filled my herb garden with about 20 of them. Jason said he didn't help him with any of it. Ethan had the idea and glued it and drew his pictures. I must say I am one proud mama of my little artist.

journaling

We had a women's brunch at our church yesterday and Sally Gleason was our speaker. I really enjoyed what she had to say. Part of her talk was on the Foundations of a Biblical Women's Ministry (which can also be applied to the Foundations for a Church)...the Gospel, the Truth, Sound Doctrine, Discipleship and the Covenant. What a beautiful picture of what the church was meant to be. It's about a community of God's people pointing and directing each other to Christ...not one of those things is centered on ME, MYSELF or I. We are called to preach the Gospel, tell and point each other to the Truth even if it doesn't make everyone feel warm and fuzzy, teach Sound Doctrine from Scripture, Disciple and (young/old men, women, mothers, fathers, grandparents, teenagers, children) deepen their knowledge and understanding through the Word of God, and to understand the Covenant that was fulfilled and carried on by Christ (which has nothing to do with what we do).

I pray this for our church. That we would see what we are called to do as a church. I know and am comforted that God is greater than all the mess and chaos that we sinners create, and it is all in his control...PRAISE GOD!

do you have a popular name?

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 221 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

And statistically the 78th most popular last name. Kind of fun. Thanks Krista for the fun blog idea!

funny kid

Ethan after lunch today: "Mom can I have dessert?" (a child after my own heart...dessert after every meal except breakfast)

Me: "I don't think we have any dessert."

Ethan, after he checked the frig: "Look mom!"

Me: "You want applesauce for dessert?"

Ethan: "YEAH!"

This is the kid who said he wanted "peas" for a snack one day. Not that he doesn't have a sweet tooth (like his mommy and daddy) but I'm glad he does have this healthy side to him. Funny kid!

bear

Another bear on the way....with my official tag around it's neck. Tab, I hope your friend loves her Aloha Bear.

James Sire

Today Jason and I went to listen to James Sire speak. He is author of the books The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog, Habits of the Mind: Intellectual Life as a Christian Calling and Learning to Pray Through the Psalms...to name a few. He mainly spoke on the topic of his book Learning to Pray Through the Psalms. It not only was nice to get away and be challenged but also just to spend some time with my honey...sans the kids. I love my chidren but I do enjoy uninterrupted conversation with Jason too.

our trip to Costco

This is amazingly our view on the way to Costco. Pictures are courtesy of Ethan from the back seat.We had to stop at Makapu'u Beach Park to snap a few pictures and stretch our legs.Ethan then made sure to get pictures of the construction...which was a guy waving me to go (in a very impatient manner) while he was holding his sign on the "stop" side. I was a bit confused so I was moving a little slow just in case he was waving to someone else. Once he realized he forgot to flip his sign over to the "drive slow" side, he sheepishly smiled and we were on our merry way.As we got closer to Sandy Beach Park we not only got to see the kites flying but the fire department was doing practice drills. They would fly up in the helicopter, a guy would throw a rope down to the ground and then slide down the rope. Of course we had to pullover and watch this.

And then it's always important to get a picture of your feet...Our view on the way back home was even more amazing.
I don't really mind going to Costco with this kind of drive...and Ethan now thinks we need to always take our camera in the car so he can document it with pictures.

refrigerator art

Lately Ethan has really been into writing his letters and words. He copies words or writes out everyone's name that he has memorized. He then takes his writings and hangs them up all over the refrigerator and chest freezer...every inch of my appliances are covered in papers and letters. I love that he enjoys writing his letters, making words, and that he is getting all of this good practice writing his letters....but being showered by papers and magnets every time I open the refrigerator door is getting a bit old. Maybe we will have to make a nice booklet of all of his great writings and drawings so that I can once again see the front of my refrigerator...then we can have a book of art rather than refrigerator art.

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Pardon for sin, and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside

Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me