Praise the LORD, it worked!

I am rejoicing right now with a little girl in the next room sleeping quietly in her big bed.  She is 28 months old now and I had not anticipated moving her into her big bed until days from now, but it has happened...and I am awed!

It actually happened a few weeks ago.  Lydia had an uninvited guest in her crib one morning.  The cat had jumped in and made herself quite comfortable.  After hearing Lydi scream, I decided to take care of the cat and be prepared to stand firm on letting the cat know, she could not go back.  The next day, it happened again and we decided to give up on the cat and just lock her out of the upstairs rooms.  We did so and Lydi slept fine until the morning.  One sibling had decided to look for a lost toy downstairs and failed to close the door on the way back.  Lydi awoke, screaming to find the cat in her crib.  To our dismay her fear escalated.  Naptime was a disaster in her crib, so to keep the peace, I willingly allowed Lydi to sleep in my bed.  That night, however, Lydi was certain the cat would come into her crib again and refused to be quiet.  We even showed her the door was shut and that she would be safe.  Tim decided to give one more option.  He pointed to the bottom bunk and suggested that she sleep there.  Lydi was delighted and willingly slept there that night.  We rejoiced in our bedroom that night amazed at how easy the transition had been in putting her in her new bed.

We thought that was the end of the story, but Lydi began to have great fears at naptimes and bedtimes that the cat would sleep in her bed.  I was too tired to deal with it during the day and so allowed her to sleep with me in my bed, but the rest was not the same and shortened for both of us.  Sunday came...Mommy and Daddy's normal time to nap with Lydi in her own bed.  Lydi, however, did not agree.  She screamed and hollered, upsetting me and convincing Daddy to finally sleep with her in her big bed.  The following week, I followed suit and did not fight the sleep at naptime in separate beds. I convinced myself that I enjoyed having my little two year old sleeping with me, but it did put a damper on the length of naptime.  I knew this couldn't go on forever and we would need to do something about it.  This past Sunday Daddy decided to make the effort to teach Lydi to sleep in her own bed at naptime.  It worked...but took nearly 45 minutes of screaming, yelling, and fighting on Lydi's part.  Daddy faithfully gave her the rules and guidelines.  If she tried to get out of her big bed, she had to go back into her crib.  She, of course, didn't want to go back into her crib where she might be trapped with the cat and so screamed.  Daddy then told her she had to lay down and be quiet before he would put her back into her big bed.  She would do as he had said and he would put her back in her big bed only to fight her getting back out again.  Back and forth Daddy went laying her down, setting the rules, and leaving.  Lydi finally got to the point of submission and willingly stayed in her big bed without crying and she fell asleep exhausted.  Bedtime followed suit, though taking much less of an effort for Lydi to submit.  She knew Kiersten would be in the room this time, sleeping on the top bunk.

The next day, it was my turn.  Because I had given in throughout the past week, I knew we were in for a battle.  I was prepared and ready with Daddy home to back me up if needed.  I followed Daddy's example from the day before with his coaching from the sidelines.  It took me a little over an hour of repetitive action: laying her down, setting the rules, and leaving.  But after Lydi got to the point of submissive willingness, she fell asleep again in exhaustion...and Mommy did too!  That night was similar as the night before with Mommy trying at the start and Daddy finishing with a much more commanding spirit.  Praise the LORD for Daddies!

Today, I was ready for another round, though this time without Daddy's support.  It could've been a rough day.  Taking Lydi up for a nap, I clearly set the rules: "No getting out of bed.  No screaming and no yelling, or I will have put you in your crib."  Lydi agreed and submitted to the standard, "No crying, no whining."  She was content to be quiet and sleep in her big bed.  And all was quiet!  I was completely thrilled and though too excited to sleep I am feeling well rested indeed! 

Lydi Shares Her Family Song

 

Lydia has grown so much, she even sang part of our family song for me tonight!  I thought I'd share.

 

For those of you who may have a hard time deciphering, she is singing the names of all the children in our family, "Micah Joel (whom she calls Gicah), Kiersten (or Kiki) Joy, then there's Lydia Hope!"

 

What precious children God has given us!

 

 

Sisterly Love

I am so thrilled to watch my two girls enjoy each other.  They are finally playing together and having fun together on their own accord.  Lydia is 2 and Kiersten is nearly 5.  In the past, Kiersten wanted nothing to do with her sister, much less allow her to be near her.  She despised the "smell of babies" or so she said.  But now that Lydi is 2 and interacting like a big girl, they are keeping each other very entertained.  What a blessing!

LORD, You are so good to give us our little girls with a sincere love for one another and even more exciting to me, that they are enjoying one another!  Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

 

On Lydi's 2nd Birthday

 

Today's enjoyment of each other, organized by Kiersten, herself!

Doing All Things With Love

"Let all your things be done with charity." I Corinthians 16:14

I found this verse rather challenging. If we really did everything out of love toward others and toward God we would not do things for selfish reasons. Charity is selfless, kind, not puffed up, behaving appropriately, and rejoicing in truth. It hopes, endures, and is not easily angered. If we did as this verse in I Corinthians commands us to do, we would treat our families differently and our friends and neighbors with compassion. Imagine how differently we would treat the people who hurt us or the children we discipline and train. How would it effect our treatment toward our spouse or our co-workers...employers and employees? If we did everything out of love, it would not be for our benefit, but theirs. We would not be offended, because it was for their sake, not our own.

LORD, teach us to love as you love. You love enough to correct and chasten, enough to put up with and yet mold us to be like yourself. You love us enough to forgive even when we hurt you over and over again. Father, thank you for loving us like this. Help me to do the same with all who cross my path and with each daily activity. Let my actions, thoughts, and words overflow with You.

This Week's Memories

This week has been a flurry of activity and tidbits. It began last week with a call that our dear friend and "Dad" had passed away. Mr. Washer was a sweet man and father figure to Tim and I as we ventured into the ministry at Lighthouse Baptist Church in New Castle and later Newark, DE. He and his wife called themselves, "Mom and Dad in DE." They had called us family and treated us as such including us in their family get-togethers and showering us with gifts and love throughout the 7 years we were there (not to mention the year we have been here in Millville, PA). Tim was asked to give the eulogy at Mr. Washer's funeral and was honored to do so. We left for Tim's hometown late Sunday night so Tim and I could drive an hour more on Monday for the funeral. Lydia was in tow. She brought smiles and laughter to our dear friends and us as we hugged and remembered with many friends from LBC. What a sweet time we had with everyone and wished we could've stayed longer.

Micah and Kiersten thrilled to be with Grandmom and Pop Pop Valiante for two nights and as always had a blast! Side-walk chalk. Swimming pool fun. Kit-Kat (Kiersten's adopted wax kitty). Story books. Cocoa Magic cereal. Shopping...with Lightning McQueen pajamas as the outcome. On Tuesday we headed home first stopping by the hospital to see the triplets (John and Ruth's new little ones). They are 1 month old and looking to the time when they come home...one reaching the goal possibly this coming week!

Our house is definitely feeling more like home! I am beginning to feel comfortable around boxes and piles of clothes that have no place to go but in the open. I could actually feel comfortable enough to leave the dishes and laundry to get out a bit this week. Thursday the kids and I visited our town's library...a library on wheels! We had not been to a library since...well...Micah was too young to remember. We had a blast! The only ones there during one of the hottest days of the year, we collected all kinds of treasures to take home. We got one about May-May and her sister, Rose (one I thought my sister, Mary would love to read...). Another favorite and Kiersten's new bedtime pal is Pete's a Pizza.

Friday I hauled the kids to church so I could fill in for the secretary at church. A whole room of toys for the kids keeps them pretty occupied, except for Lydia who has not gotten used to the church playpen. She, by the way, has learned to roll over at 4 months (is that normal?). Later that night we ventured as a family to eat Chinese and visit the Dollar Store and WalMart. Kiersten had the experience of losing her favorite blankie (what dramatized crying!) and having it returned (I think the lady who found it had warm fuzzies, too).

Today Micah had his second expectation of going on a fishing trip with Daddy. He was disappointed Daddy hadn't woken him up early for the trip, but at least they hadn't missed it as it was scheduled for 4:30 in the afternoon. Kiersten was also grateful for the trip...she has Mommy time. "Just me and Mommy" she said at the dinner table eating peanut butter and jelly (with fishies inside)...well, except for Lydia who was sleeping upstairs for the most part. We had an enjoyable "girl's night," reading all the favorites from the library including Pete's a Pizza (which is now snug as a bug in Kiersten's bed). The men are on their way home and a new week begins...wonder what else will happen between now and tomorrow. Maybe the biggest catch ever! Or maybe just a good tale of Micah and "Ooey Gooey."

"He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD." Psalm 113:9

As I read, I desire to share with others what I learn. This verse has definitely been proven to be true in my own life. When Tim and I first married, I was so fearful of the whole aspect of "keeping house," especially preparing meals. God knows me so well! My sister-in-law, Joy, gave some wise advice in the notations she wrote in a cookbook..."pray hard!" Even something that might seem menial such as keeping house comes from the strength of the LORD. He has been so faithful.

Then as Tim and I desired to have children and God blessed in His timing, the fear of being the right kind of mother intruded. Again I found and am still learning that it is God who gives me joy in raising my children. God has been the source of all that I have and am. I cannot do anything without Him.

Answered Prayer!

About a year ago I began praying for a bunkbed. At that point we were moving to Millville, PA and expecting another child. I figured we would need another bed anyway and why not a bunkbed...they're so cool! We had even been praying as we talked of the possibility with Micah and Kiersten. They had absolutely loved the bunkbed in the prophet's chamber at Emmanuel Baptist Church as we were candidating. Kiersten was also getting old enough to be out of a crib, but up until March, we had only two (one toddler bed and one crib). When we moved into our new house we were able to locate all the pieces to Tim's childhood bed and excitedly set it up for Micah once Mom Valiante brought over the bottom board to hold the mattress in. We were then able to move Kiersten to the toddler bed and Micah to the big bed, leaving the crib for Lydia.

We had kindof forgotten about the bunkbed idea (as far as praying goes) and then God answers! I was on craigslist.com looking for some cushions for our couch and found a bunkbed in the price range we had considered! Perfect! Not to mention it has a full bed on the bottom...great for company (Mom and Dad will have a much more comfy place to sleep once we get a mattress)! We were able to pick up the bed today and look forward to getting it restained and set up. I trust our kids will have just as much fun with their new bunkbed as we did with ours growing up!

Knowing God More

These past few months I have found myself in a challenge of understanding God's intentions. I know we will never fully understand an infinite being, but He does ask us to learn of Him and His character. In the Fall I had started a Bible study with our ladies at Emmanuel Baptist Church on the book of Job, Grace for Every Trial. I learned that "blessing" from God is not physical, but rather it is a growing knowledge of Him. I also discovered that we ought to live in principle as though God has promised it, realizing that "grace" is given only as we obey His Word. God cannot give us wisdom in a situation, or the power to overcome sin, unless we are allowing Him to work in our lives through obedience. Job was known as a perfect and upright man, meaning that his life was an overall testimony of obedience. Yet, God allowed Satan to have his hand in destroying much of what Job had physically. It shakes our faith to realize that God could do the same with us, allowing bad things to happen to us. But we are reminded that God is "good." In the book of Job we are continually reminded of God's listening ear, though He is silent. We are also reminded of God's presence, though Job feels God is not there. What we "feel" about God cannot be trusted, but rather what He says about Himself...because He cannot lie. God does not promise physical good or wealth and health, but He does promise His presence and His listening ear. He promises victory and greatness, but not necessarily in this life.

One of my questions after the study commenced was whether God really kept His promises. Does God really keep His promise as David mentions in Psalm 37:25 "not to forsake His saints" and to keep him from "begging bread?" I wasn't so sure I could say that this was true. What about all those people who suffer as martyrs or those who died in famine and cold in the early days of America as they sought a country that would allow freedom of religion? Either the promise was not what I thought, or these people were not true believers. Was this psalm as well as many others only principles and not promises?

Then I began to learn that we ought to live these verses as promises (even "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it."). Abraham did. He lived as though what God had said were promises that would come to pass. They became principles to His life, yet He clung to the promise. Did they happen? Yes! The principle is how we live this physical life and the promise is sometimes physical as well, but always fulfilled spiritually.

So were the saints mentioned earlier delivered from famine or from being forsaken? In Hebrews 12 it talks of the Hall of Faith, men and women who lived looking to a promise, but not always receiving it here in this life. Abraham found a city whose maker and builder was God, though he traveled without ever seeing the fulfillment in his lifetime. Many Christians were martyred and tortured looking to the promise of God's deliverance and He did deliver...they were freed to the glories of Heaven. God stood by Job and listened to His complaint through his misery fulfilling His promise of goodness and power during it as well as after and in the future still as Job sits in Heavenly places!

I do not understand God's full intentions, but I do know I can trust His goodness and His power. I can trust that He will always be there, though He may "seem" to me to be distant, and He will always listen to me as His child, though He may "seem" silent. God is faithful and He can be trusted...and I will trust Him till the day I die and enter His promise of Eternal Life!

LORD, teach me more!

Since 2010

Life has definitely continued on! Since our last blog we have finished our renovation, decided on renting the house instead of selling, moved to Millville, bought a house, renovated it for better living, and moved in just before our third child was born, Lydia Hope. What an amazing year!

Now that all has been updated as far as since our last blog, I thought I might start being more consistent in keeping this blog going...we'll see how things go a year from now!

Changes

God has done some amazing things in our lives throughout this year. Maybe that is partly why we have been missing from the blogger scene.

January, as you may have read, was a sad time for us. God gave much grace and we are trusting in His hand and plan. In February we learned of a church in Millville, PA that was looking for a pastor. We found out about this church through our leaders in the teen ministry. Cindy's dad was on the pulpit committee and requesting to get the information of their youth pastor. I believe it took Cindy some time to actually give him that request, but she eventually did having asked us what our thoughts were on the matter. We were not planning on going anywhere for a while and were rather content at Lighthouse Baptist Church, but who can stand against God's hand?

We began our adventure of visiting, preaching, waiting, and praying concerning this ministry in Millville. At the moment we heard of their desire to have us come, Tim immediantly began renovating our master bathroom. It was during a big snow storm that he began tearing down walls and cutting apart our shower. We continued working on this project and candidtating (though not officially until the third visit). The waiting was so difficult, yet full of growth for each of us. God is so amazing in His continual working in our lives, using every circumstance to make us stronger if faith and love for Him.

May 16th was our official candidating at Emmanuel Baptist Church and we went home to wait for the church's final vote on whether we would be called to be in ministry there. Many questions were made throughout the week that could have hindered the call and been a clear direction of God to stay, but the questions were answered and the following Sunday we heard of the positive vote for us to come. Tim confirmed that he would come to be their senior pastor the following Monday. And then the work began!

We are presently in full force remodeling (we're still unsure of the proper terminology...remodeling or renovating?) our kitchen and dinning room while a sign sits in our yard claiming our property is for sale. We hope to have it up and ready for walk-throughs mid June. Wouldn't that be amazing if it sold in a few weeks! We are praying!

Our kitchen cabinets were delivered today and Tim has been working on leveling the floor for tile as well as figuring out electrical work (he just informed me that he had gotten it!). I have been dreaming about how to pack and yet leave things accessible for apartment living until we find a new home, as well as finding what color of wall paint should be applied to the walls. I love the decorating part...it's just strange to think I won't be here to enjoy it much. Maybe the same colors will find their way into our new home!

What amazing changes! And these are only a few...there are so many stories behind every detail. The amazing thing is that God knows all about them, has planned them, and is using them to help us grow! I love our God! He is so amazing to me!

Our Little One

Sarah and I are overwhelmed by God's grace and your support during this time as we grieve over the loss of our baby. This may be news to some of you, but we found out that Sarah was expecting the day before Christmas.

In the midst of this grief, we have an abiding joy that our child is in the presence of God. On Monday Night (when we realized that Sarah was losing the baby), we read a precious article together entitled, "They Will Only Know Heaven." What a comfort it was to our hearts to realize that our baby's first sight will be that of Heaven. His or her first steps will not be recorded on my digital camera, but they will be taken on streets of gold. The first words uttered from his or her lips will be praise to God.

We were comforted by Scriptures in Psalm 139 where David writes, "My substance was not hid from thee when I was made in secret and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance ye being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned when as yet there was none of them." Sarah has been especially comforted by Jeremiah 1:5 in which God speaks to Jeremiah saying, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee."

There are many other verses that have brought comfort and the conviction that our baby is with the Lord in Heaven. God is good to provide a home for our child.

Thank you to our church family that has taken such good care of us. We are stocked up with food for the next week, and more is coming. But we give thanks to God most of all who has given and has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. In our grief we bow our heads and worship God. We look forward to seeing our little one someday, though we certainly miss our baby right now.

Sarah is slowly recovering, and I would ask for you to pray for her physically. It has been a blessing for me to be home this week to help her with Micah and Kiersten. It has been good to spend time together as a family. Thank you again for your care for us.Tim and Sarah

So Long Smiley

How sad to see a good friend go. It was time to say good-bye.

We have had our smiley balloon since Kiersten came home from the hospital in April of 2008. She took to it right away and became quite fond of mommy's smiley balloon. It was given as a "good job" gift from Micah and Daddy along with a bouquet of flowers. Smiley has been one of the best toys we could have had for our little ones. So long smiley balloon!


For memory sake, here's a clip of Kiersten enjoying Smiley.

Funny Joke!

Micah and I were talking about not talking with your mouth full and how it "looks quite aweful...don't talk with your mouth full it looks quite bad." Micah plugged in "good" for "bad," so I thought I'd have a little educational lesson. "Ok, Micah, if the opposite of bad is good, what is the opposite of tall?" Micah responded quickly, "Not bad at tall!"

Vacation

Last week our family enjoyed a restful and fun vacation. We spent the first part of the week with Tim's family which was a lot of fun, and relaxing for the whole family... Mommy included.

After returning home, we decided to simply do nothing. Tim held off on working on any major projects, and just relaxed playing with the kids, grilling out, enjoying the hot tub, and celebrating our anniversary... the whole week.

On Friday our neighbor had invited us to go to "Rough and Tumble" Blacksmith Days. This is a gathering outside of Lancaster where there are many old steam engines, along with primitive gasoline engines. Micah was thrilled to see so many tractors and engines. It was a blast.

































































Micah with our neighbor who invited us out.


















One of our times grilling out. Ribs, potatoes and corn. It was delicious.

Micah's attempt at "spelling" his name. We think he is a genius being able to draw the "M" of his first name.

Milestones

This week has been an amazing week of milestones in Micah and Kiersten's lives. On Monday, while talking with a friend of ours, she mentioned that Micah was well on his way to being potty trained...he could tell when he needed to go. That Tuesday morning, Micah worked hard at sitting on the potty and keeping his new Pull-Ups clean. Wednesday followed with the same hard work. Today, though a bit lax in his efforts (or maybe Mommy's lack of effort), he is doing very well with the motivation to "do it like Macy does!" (Thanks, Bethany, for your daughter's wonderful influence!)


Kiersten was not to be forgotten and has put in her milestone as well by making more steps since Tuesday morning, working on a sidewinder type walk, carefully trying her footing with both feet instead of one. She has been working on more words and taking time to practice her speech instead of nap time...I wonder if it's time to move on to one nap per day?

What a blessing to see our little ones grow! God has been so good to us. It is a joy to be where we are and growing in His timing!

First Steps

Today has been quite a day of accomplishments for Kiersten. She slept in today (though not the first time) until 9 a.m., which was wonderful for Mommy. Micah did too, so we had lots of sleep today. The morning began with Kiersten saying her first "big" word, "breakfast." Guess she was ready after all that sleeping!

Tonight she took her first step and we were able to catch some more first steps on video. She is getting so big!



Yesterday she was praised by the nursery workers for her beautiful singing and she has been working on improving as she sounds out the tune to Jesus Loves Me and The B-I-B-L-E. So many things happen after that first birthday, and I'm sure more is to come.

Micah is growing too. He has been increasing his vocabulary and speaks quite well for a two year old (he says "two and a half"). He loves to watch Daddy play softball on the church softball team and shouts out "Go Honey!" with all his might, just like Mommy says!

Kiki's 1st Birthday

We celebrated Kiersten's 1st birthday at Grandmom and Pop Pop's house on April 26th, Grandmom's birthday. Many family members came to celebrate the two birthdays and Grandmom went all out, even baking Kiersten a beautiful birthday cake. Thanks again, Grandmom!

On April 30th we finished up the leftover cake and celebrated Kiersten's official birthday with our family. Micah couldn't wait to get at the cake and Kiersten...well, I'm surprised she didn't really want chocolate, or sugar all that much. Hope you enjoy watching a few clips of this special day. Happy Birthday, Sweety!

Feeding Kiki

I believe this was the first time I had allowed Micah to feed Kiersten with a spoon. This video is a favorite of his...at least at this point. Hope you enjoy it, too!

Just Playing

We are seeking an easier route to blogging and setting up a site to work better for our home business. Any ideas would be helpful if you have already set up a home business of sorts.