Pictures of the Boys

Cookie Monster!

Spring always brings photo sessions.

He's getting so big!

HE's getting so big (look at those feet)!

Hanging out with Colin.

Silas giving his little brother a pat on the head. 

Still hasn't worked out the most photogenic smile. 

This one knows how to turn on the charm, though.

They really do love each other.

Fun at bedtime.

Silas loves hugs; Eli mostly just tolerates them.

 

With my boys.

Lessons on Hank Williams

My mom came one evening to our house to visit with us.  Somehow we got on the subject of Hank Williams and soon we were watching some YouTube videos of him and his son.  Silas and Eli were fascinated, so we told them a few things about them both. Soon both boys wanted to do their impressions of Hank Williams Sr.  

Bedtime Boys

Leaves

Each year the garden gets filled with leaves, and each year the boys enjoy jumping in the pile before it gets swept into the compost or garden beds.

Marshmallows and Tents

One evening in September Silas, Eli and I made a tent with some blankets. 

The boys and I could all wiggle in and we added some pillows to lay on.

We had used marshmallows in a science experiment that day, so we ate some for snacktime. 

 It lasted about half an hour before Eli pulled it down.

I couldn't get them to look at the camera at the same time because they were giggling so much. 

 

Silas climbed up on the couch and Eli followed.  It made a tight squeeze.  It was when Eli decided to stand up that the tent got pulled down.  

Belly Buttons and Smiles

"What's under my shirt I wonder?"  

"It's a belly button!"

"Aah!  Tickling!"

Silas decided to work on his smile.  We decided this was a little too much.

This was nice but not quite big enough.

Too much teeth.

We thought this was just about perfect.

Crazy Brothers

First there is this darling dear of mine:

Look! He's showing me how he's all done with his yogurt.  Ummmm...obviously, the 'all done' command has overridden the 'no messes' command.

 And then there's this one:

How can he sleep like this?!  His head is completely off the bed but he's out like a light.

My Prayer

Several years ago I was given a book called, "A Mom after God's Own Heart."  After all this time, the thing that has stuck with me is the urgent necessity of praying for our children.  I've always prayed for their salvation, their maturity, their love for Christ.  But in the last week my prayers for them have focused on two things.  First is that they stand firm in their faith.

Eleven times the New Testament authors tell us to stand firm.  Here are a few:
1Cr 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. 
1Cr 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.
2Cr 1:21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ.
2Cr 1:24 ...because it is by faith you stand firm.
Gal 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Eph 6:14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place...
Col 4:12 ...He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
2Th 2:15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you...

It might be the current fervent popularity of the movie 'Magic Mike' or the book '50 Shades of Grey,' both glorifying extreme sexual immorality.  Or it might be the hate-filled political comments (some by believers) that I read on Facebook.  They're worried about the path the current administration is taking our country.  I worry about the path the disrespect and disunity will take us down.  There are a thousand reasons, but in the end it's about fear.  Fear of compromise.  Fear of being of the world and not just in it.  The influence on my children is not a balance; as long as I put enough weight on one side to balance out the other side, then it's okay?  The weight on God's Word should completely zero out the weight on the world's side.  I thank God for truth.  For solid, firm, unshakable, immobile, unchangeable TRUTH.  That they can stand firm on without worry, without danger.


The second part of my prayer is more complicated.  Because I know that if they stand firm in their faith, against the evil of this age, then I know this will happen: 1Pe 4:4-5 They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.


It sounds so depressing!  The world is coming to an end!  Everything is evil!  Everything is bad!  But that's not how I see it.  I pray that they stand firm in their faith because when they do, it's the exact opposite.  It's joy (long and sustaining).  It's peace (pure and sweet).  It's love (true and strong).  And I know, with a surety that goes straight to my soul, that the world cannot offer these things.  Only replicas, impostors, fakes.  Nothing that lasts.  So I pray that they stand firm on God's truth, because even when the world heaps abuse on their heads, the reward will be so much greater.  2Cr 4:17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

Tradition

I take a photo of Silas every year in this same spot.   

We got Eli, as well, this year!

No daffodils, though, because SOMEONE and his cousin decided to pick all the heads off the daffodils.

Over the years:

 

March 2011

 

The best we could get of Silas and Eli last year.

 

Silas in 2010.

 

Silas in 2009.

After the Bath

Every evening after their baths (in the winter, anyways) the boys sit right next to each other in their towels, right in front of the heater in Eli's room.  They shiver together.  Here are some cute pictures: