the latest from the little farmer...

This little guy is cracking me up lately. He L.I.V.E.S to be outside... preferably with his dad. When he gets up from his afternoon nap, he hurries out of bed and grunts for his coat, shoes, and hat. And he wears them until Eric gets home, in hopes escaping the house. And no, Eric doesn't normally get home at 3:00. The Little Farmer will wear these around the house for 2 to 3 HOURS waiting for him if I'm not able to take him out.

His dad really likes his hat in this picture... the Tinkerbell blanket belonging to his sister, not so much!

Ride 'em Cowboy!

He loves his sister...

And while he hardly utters a word, he manages to say "too-tee"... cookie. He scrambles for a chair and promptly pushes it right up to the counter anytime he hears the mixer start.

He's lovable and sweet. Spunky. Mischievous. Determined. He's soft-hearted and compassionate. We love all of him and are thankful to God each day for the gift he is to us!

gifts

Sometimes when I look at this girl, I think to myself, "Is this really the girl who was placed in my arms for the very first time... 5-AND-A-HALF years ago already?" She stared right at me with the biggest, most beautiful, dark eyes... I am so humbled and thankful that God has given me the priviledge of being her mom. Every first-time mom is a true rookie... and my firstborn has had to put up with a serious learning curve! From not knowing what babies do, how to teach them as young children... all the mistakes I've made---oooooh! I don't want to even go there!

Yet God has given so much grace! Grace for me to be her mom, and grace for her to love and forgive me inspite of my mistakes. I'm thankful beyond words for both her and for her little brother. And for Eric... (there's a whole other blog post on HIS patience with me, though!:) In a world where there is much heartache, God is good. Our children, our spouses, our dear families, loved ones, the sunshine, each new day - they are gifts from Him; they're not ultimately ours, but HIS. And He commands us to think about whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy. And I know I've mentioned it before, but that list of things we're to think about follows the verse that tells us: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

I guess with the recent heartache in our community...little Cash and Melanie who are now in Heaven, and Jensen who continues to suffer... it's once again my tendency to be anxious. But I know that is not the answer. All of these children are so precious to Him. And their presence in our lives is truly a gift from Him.