Thomas Donovan Segerson! He was born April 1 at 3:31 p.m. He was a whopping 6 lbs. 15.8 oz. ( I say that sarcastically) and 19 3/4 inches long. He has brown hair, dark blue eyes, and already has a darker tan than me (from his daddy's side).
At first, his name didn't seem to really fit, and I was thinking of going back to my previous choice of Joseph. But now he seems to be growing into it or we seem to be getting used to it. He's nursing very well, and the Lord has blessed me with a very good milk supply.
Sorry it's taken so long to post even this much. The birth did not go the way I expected or wanted, and it's taking me a while to deal with it. I remember everything before we went to the hospital very well, and the same for the pushing part, but almost nothing in between except for terror, sadness, and tears. So when I can, I will write the birth story based on Dh's notes.
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Things That Are Right
So many times, things go wrong, and that's all we seem to focus on. There isn't ever an end to the bad news. Today, I want to tell you about things that are not bad - these are things that are just right.
I enjoy my children and being around them and watching them learn and grow. This morning, I snuck in on them, and they were all snuggled up together fast asleep, holding hands. They have this love for one another, and I hope they never lose that.
I am so grateful that I have a husband who loves us and wants to take care of us and will go the extra mile for us. He wants to do special things for us, and he often does the little things that mean the most. He works to make sure we have a comfortable home. O.k. I better quit talking about him or he's going to not let me blog anymore.
I have been blessed with the relationship that I have with my in-laws, which I often forget are in-laws unless someone points it out :) Before we got married, I had heard so many horror stories about in-laws that I was frankly scared. But I have always felt absolutely loved and cherished by all of my husband's family. Every time I hear of someone getting married, I always pray they have a good relationship with their in-laws like I do.
I get to be a stay-at-home wife, mother, homeschooler, whatever you want to call it. I wouldn't trade it for the world!
When we had a roof put on our house this past summer, it is under warranty. Yay!
We had just enough snow to be fun, but not enough that any damage was done. The anorexic snowman in the yard might disagree... But he can get his own blog!
My ob says the bun in my oven is healthy and happy. God is forming this little babe with love and care and attention. Only 3 more weeks to go until they think it's safe to have this little one. 7 weeks until they predict it will be. ? longer until God says this baby will come. It's all in God's hands, and we aren't going to rush anything. God knows better than any person when it's time.
My children pray every day for all kinds of things. They pray for things adults would never think of and delight in doing this, just as they should. And my oldest likes to prove what people say in the Bible. If you tell him something's right or wrong, you better be prepared to tell him a book, chapter, and verse. We're working on tact.
When I do go into labor, my daughter says she's going to brush my hair, and my son says he's going to paint my toenails :) I'm going to thank God for every contraction and do some very hard work.
We're all sick, and my husband just called to tell us he's taking us to supper tonight so we don't have to stand up and cook. I had to sneak this one down here so he wouldn't realize I'm still talking about him :) My family eats together. We're not all rushed to the 4 corners of the earth trying to do a million things at once. We just sit down and eat together. And enjoy each other. And when we eat out, we still do it all together. And enjoy each other.
My cats are good mousers. And they leave me presents every once in a while. See how much they love me! They like to snuggle me too. Except the youngest one. He still likes to play the "kill the eels wiggling under the covers" game. And they all like to help me crochet. I don't think I know what it would be like to crochet without them attacking the yarn and making everyone laugh.
2 words - wooly kisses. That's when you get one of those little tickly kisses that make that funny sound that makes your skin feel like it's got wool, and you can't help but laugh. And giving them makes your lips itch. I'm laughing just thinking about them :D
What are some good things that happen to you that you see are just little blessing from God that get unnoticed by most folks? Things God does specifically for you.
I enjoy my children and being around them and watching them learn and grow. This morning, I snuck in on them, and they were all snuggled up together fast asleep, holding hands. They have this love for one another, and I hope they never lose that.
I am so grateful that I have a husband who loves us and wants to take care of us and will go the extra mile for us. He wants to do special things for us, and he often does the little things that mean the most. He works to make sure we have a comfortable home. O.k. I better quit talking about him or he's going to not let me blog anymore.
I have been blessed with the relationship that I have with my in-laws, which I often forget are in-laws unless someone points it out :) Before we got married, I had heard so many horror stories about in-laws that I was frankly scared. But I have always felt absolutely loved and cherished by all of my husband's family. Every time I hear of someone getting married, I always pray they have a good relationship with their in-laws like I do.
I get to be a stay-at-home wife, mother, homeschooler, whatever you want to call it. I wouldn't trade it for the world!
When we had a roof put on our house this past summer, it is under warranty. Yay!
We had just enough snow to be fun, but not enough that any damage was done. The anorexic snowman in the yard might disagree... But he can get his own blog!
My ob says the bun in my oven is healthy and happy. God is forming this little babe with love and care and attention. Only 3 more weeks to go until they think it's safe to have this little one. 7 weeks until they predict it will be. ? longer until God says this baby will come. It's all in God's hands, and we aren't going to rush anything. God knows better than any person when it's time.
My children pray every day for all kinds of things. They pray for things adults would never think of and delight in doing this, just as they should. And my oldest likes to prove what people say in the Bible. If you tell him something's right or wrong, you better be prepared to tell him a book, chapter, and verse. We're working on tact.
When I do go into labor, my daughter says she's going to brush my hair, and my son says he's going to paint my toenails :) I'm going to thank God for every contraction and do some very hard work.
We're all sick, and my husband just called to tell us he's taking us to supper tonight so we don't have to stand up and cook. I had to sneak this one down here so he wouldn't realize I'm still talking about him :) My family eats together. We're not all rushed to the 4 corners of the earth trying to do a million things at once. We just sit down and eat together. And enjoy each other. And when we eat out, we still do it all together. And enjoy each other.
My cats are good mousers. And they leave me presents every once in a while. See how much they love me! They like to snuggle me too. Except the youngest one. He still likes to play the "kill the eels wiggling under the covers" game. And they all like to help me crochet. I don't think I know what it would be like to crochet without them attacking the yarn and making everyone laugh.
2 words - wooly kisses. That's when you get one of those little tickly kisses that make that funny sound that makes your skin feel like it's got wool, and you can't help but laugh. And giving them makes your lips itch. I'm laughing just thinking about them :D
What are some good things that happen to you that you see are just little blessing from God that get unnoticed by most folks? Things God does specifically for you.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Low Iron?
Both children and my husband have all had strep throat this week. So far, the Lord has spared me, and I'm so grateful! When we found out my daughter had strep, we also found out she's a little low on iron. Now there are all kinds of non-fun ways to raise your iron levels. But here's a fun way:
Molasses Cookies
3/4 c. real butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1/4 c. blackstrap molasses (the blackstrap molasses is where the iron comes from)
2 c. wheat flour
2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. sea salt
2 t. ground cinnamon
1 t. ground cloves
1 t. ground ginger
1/2 c. sugar
In a mixing bowl, mix butter, 1 c. sugar, and egg till smooth. Stir in molasses. It helps if you grease your measuring cup for the molasses first. In another bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients except the sugar.
Preheat oven to 375. Roll dough into walnut-sized balls and roll them in the rest of the sugar in a bowl. Put on a cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, only until the tops crack. Cool on wire racks.
Store tightly covered with a slice of bread to keep them nice and soft.
Molasses Cookies
3/4 c. real butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1/4 c. blackstrap molasses (the blackstrap molasses is where the iron comes from)
2 c. wheat flour
2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. sea salt
2 t. ground cinnamon
1 t. ground cloves
1 t. ground ginger
1/2 c. sugar
In a mixing bowl, mix butter, 1 c. sugar, and egg till smooth. Stir in molasses. It helps if you grease your measuring cup for the molasses first. In another bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients except the sugar.
Preheat oven to 375. Roll dough into walnut-sized balls and roll them in the rest of the sugar in a bowl. Put on a cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, only until the tops crack. Cool on wire racks.
Store tightly covered with a slice of bread to keep them nice and soft.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Except the Lord Build the House
This was written by my friend Lisa Sipper. I feel she did a superb job of putting this into words.
On Anastasia Island in Florida, there is a little fort which can be toured by taking a ferry across the Matanzas Inlet. In the 1740s, Fort Matanzas was the watchtower for what was known as the “backdoor” of St. Augustine for enemy forces borne by ship, looking to infiltrate the city by surprise. This small, temporary residence was manned by seven soldiers at a time. Their duties were to watch for invading troops, warn the city, and resist the enemy’s invasion by canon fire and musket fire. Within the fort was room for the soldiers to keep their provisions and ammunition, while working in shifts to ensure the safety of the inhabitants within the city of St. Augustine.
Fort Matanzas is not a very imposing fort. It isn’t pretty, and is situated in the middle of nowhere. What soldier would have wanted to be assigned for any length of time in this secluded structure, as opposed to the grand, well-defended Castillo de San Marco in the heart of St. Augustine? Yet, the soldiers who were watchmen for the city knew that standing guard in that tiny fort off the Matanzas Inlet was a serious undertaking. If the job was neglected, St. Augustine would be under surprise attack and the lives of men, women, and children would be lost.
The Bible speaks of the watchman and his role throughout the Old Testament. The word “watchman” is also translated “keeper” in some passages, such as II Kings 11:5, speaking of the “keepers of the watch of the king’s house,” and Esther 2:3, when it talks of Hegai, the “keeper of the women.” The Hebrew word is shawmar. It means to guard, hedge about, and protect. It also includes taking heed to oneself, being aware of the surroundings, and looking about carefully and circumspectly. Being a watchman or keeper requires full attention and alertness. A watchman is responsible for the lives of those for whom he watches.
In Psalm 127, this idea is given in a spiritual sense: Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
For Christians who are part of the heavenly city, the Church, these are encouraging words. The watchmen of God do not need to worry or be troubled, for God will provide rest and give His soldiers comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
Yet, the remaining verses in the Psalm seem unrelated to the first two verses: Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
This brings a greater meaning to the passage and presents what is at the heart of the Church, the Christian home. Just as the Church is the spiritual city of God, so each Christian family is a bastion built to withstand the forces of a spiritual enemy. Just like the Church, the builder of the Christian family is God. Without God as the designer and maker of the fortress of the home, it is vulnerable and only waits to be infiltrated. The duty of each individual family member is to submit to the Designer’s guidance found in His commands and examples in the Bible. God has designed roles for each family member to see to the needs of that spiritual city. If those roles are neglected, the city will not be able to withstand attack, as God, the master builder, designed it to handle.
Psalm 127 also gives ways to prepare for any spiritual attack. One is to be watchful, guarding the inhabitants of the city from spiritual assault. This requires watching for things that might be introduced into the hearts and minds of the family members which are not conducive to a moral, godly standard of living.
As mentioned earlier, the heart and mind shouldn’t be hampered by sorrow or sleeplessness, brought on by worry, when faced with the threat of the fiery darts of the wicked one. Trusting in God’s protection is so vital. It is also lack of faith which prompts the worry; and many times it causes rash, detrimental decisions to be made, keeping the family from trusting in God to see them through.
Another part of preparing for an attack is the training and instruction of the children. Have you ever considered your child as a weapon? What kind of blow is a misdirected arrow going to have in comparison with the arrow that is handled by the God-directed marksman? The marksman prepares and guides the arrow for shooting. We are aiming our children toward the mark of obedience to God. This task requires teaching righteous living and the consequences that come from disobedience. Children must be taught self-discipline in order to follow God’s laws. A child who won’t obey parental authority is going to have greater difficulty being obedient to God. Parents are held accountable for the training that goes on in the home!
Brief detour here: There is an undermining philosophy among families today that incorporating spanking into a child’s training does not teach a child the importance of making the right choices. While there are children with serious disabilities that the above philosophy may apply to, there are overwhelming numbers of families who make excuses, disobeying God’s words of wisdom. Spanking is not enjoyable. It is not an outlet for anger. It is a means to succinctly apply the understanding that there are consequences for bad actions. (Proverbs 23:13-14)
Lastly, Psalm 127 presents the children of the Christian home as speaking to the enemies at the gate without being ashamed. The word for “ashamed” (Hebrew word, boosh) means to become pale with confusion, to be confounded. This implies the children are given instruction within the city on how to speak with the enemy. Children of the Christian home are to be taught what the enemy will tell them and how to respond. When the time comes for them to combat the weapons thrown at them, they will not bow the head and hesitate about how to address what is wrong. They will confront it boldly with knowledge of the power that the builder of their city possesses.
Your Christian home is like Fort Matanzas. It is a small fortress guarding the Church from the backdoor attacks. You have been designated as the watchman! It is your duty and your defense is crucial. Don’t let your guard down; that is the way the city of God gets infiltrated. Don’t neglect your role! Don’t devalue it by the standards the world shoots at you. God has chosen your family to this task. He will protect and provide everything, everything you need, but you must defend His cause by building up your Christian home in obedience to Him!
On Anastasia Island in Florida, there is a little fort which can be toured by taking a ferry across the Matanzas Inlet. In the 1740s, Fort Matanzas was the watchtower for what was known as the “backdoor” of St. Augustine for enemy forces borne by ship, looking to infiltrate the city by surprise. This small, temporary residence was manned by seven soldiers at a time. Their duties were to watch for invading troops, warn the city, and resist the enemy’s invasion by canon fire and musket fire. Within the fort was room for the soldiers to keep their provisions and ammunition, while working in shifts to ensure the safety of the inhabitants within the city of St. Augustine.
Fort Matanzas is not a very imposing fort. It isn’t pretty, and is situated in the middle of nowhere. What soldier would have wanted to be assigned for any length of time in this secluded structure, as opposed to the grand, well-defended Castillo de San Marco in the heart of St. Augustine? Yet, the soldiers who were watchmen for the city knew that standing guard in that tiny fort off the Matanzas Inlet was a serious undertaking. If the job was neglected, St. Augustine would be under surprise attack and the lives of men, women, and children would be lost.
The Bible speaks of the watchman and his role throughout the Old Testament. The word “watchman” is also translated “keeper” in some passages, such as II Kings 11:5, speaking of the “keepers of the watch of the king’s house,” and Esther 2:3, when it talks of Hegai, the “keeper of the women.” The Hebrew word is shawmar. It means to guard, hedge about, and protect. It also includes taking heed to oneself, being aware of the surroundings, and looking about carefully and circumspectly. Being a watchman or keeper requires full attention and alertness. A watchman is responsible for the lives of those for whom he watches.
In Psalm 127, this idea is given in a spiritual sense: Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
For Christians who are part of the heavenly city, the Church, these are encouraging words. The watchmen of God do not need to worry or be troubled, for God will provide rest and give His soldiers comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
Yet, the remaining verses in the Psalm seem unrelated to the first two verses: Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
This brings a greater meaning to the passage and presents what is at the heart of the Church, the Christian home. Just as the Church is the spiritual city of God, so each Christian family is a bastion built to withstand the forces of a spiritual enemy. Just like the Church, the builder of the Christian family is God. Without God as the designer and maker of the fortress of the home, it is vulnerable and only waits to be infiltrated. The duty of each individual family member is to submit to the Designer’s guidance found in His commands and examples in the Bible. God has designed roles for each family member to see to the needs of that spiritual city. If those roles are neglected, the city will not be able to withstand attack, as God, the master builder, designed it to handle.
Psalm 127 also gives ways to prepare for any spiritual attack. One is to be watchful, guarding the inhabitants of the city from spiritual assault. This requires watching for things that might be introduced into the hearts and minds of the family members which are not conducive to a moral, godly standard of living.
As mentioned earlier, the heart and mind shouldn’t be hampered by sorrow or sleeplessness, brought on by worry, when faced with the threat of the fiery darts of the wicked one. Trusting in God’s protection is so vital. It is also lack of faith which prompts the worry; and many times it causes rash, detrimental decisions to be made, keeping the family from trusting in God to see them through.
Another part of preparing for an attack is the training and instruction of the children. Have you ever considered your child as a weapon? What kind of blow is a misdirected arrow going to have in comparison with the arrow that is handled by the God-directed marksman? The marksman prepares and guides the arrow for shooting. We are aiming our children toward the mark of obedience to God. This task requires teaching righteous living and the consequences that come from disobedience. Children must be taught self-discipline in order to follow God’s laws. A child who won’t obey parental authority is going to have greater difficulty being obedient to God. Parents are held accountable for the training that goes on in the home!
Brief detour here: There is an undermining philosophy among families today that incorporating spanking into a child’s training does not teach a child the importance of making the right choices. While there are children with serious disabilities that the above philosophy may apply to, there are overwhelming numbers of families who make excuses, disobeying God’s words of wisdom. Spanking is not enjoyable. It is not an outlet for anger. It is a means to succinctly apply the understanding that there are consequences for bad actions. (Proverbs 23:13-14)
Lastly, Psalm 127 presents the children of the Christian home as speaking to the enemies at the gate without being ashamed. The word for “ashamed” (Hebrew word, boosh) means to become pale with confusion, to be confounded. This implies the children are given instruction within the city on how to speak with the enemy. Children of the Christian home are to be taught what the enemy will tell them and how to respond. When the time comes for them to combat the weapons thrown at them, they will not bow the head and hesitate about how to address what is wrong. They will confront it boldly with knowledge of the power that the builder of their city possesses.
Your Christian home is like Fort Matanzas. It is a small fortress guarding the Church from the backdoor attacks. You have been designated as the watchman! It is your duty and your defense is crucial. Don’t let your guard down; that is the way the city of God gets infiltrated. Don’t neglect your role! Don’t devalue it by the standards the world shoots at you. God has chosen your family to this task. He will protect and provide everything, everything you need, but you must defend His cause by building up your Christian home in obedience to Him!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Children's Church/Children's Bible Hour
The Bible states on many occasions that all the people are to come together in one place for worship. Not part of the people (Nehemiah 8:4-6, I Corinthians 11:20, I Corinthians 11:33-34, I Corinthians 14:23, I Corinthians 14:26, Hebrews 10:25). We are supposed to assemble together, not in separated groups. God demands we come together.
I have heard it said that all moms need a break, and sending children to Bible Hour will give mom a break so she can hear the sermon and pay attention better. They sound like noble goals on the surface. It is the parent's responsibility to teach children to worship God, be quiet and respectful during worship service, and show proper awe and respect for God. If children can be taught to behave in Bible classes, then they can certainly be taught to behave in the worship assembly.
Shouldn't the children be able to benefit from having a lesson on their level? Of course! That is exactly why there are Bible classes. But Bible classes are not part of the worship assembly where we are all to gather together.
What about the children of visitors? They don't know how to behave. No, not yet. Any child can be taught. Children learn by being in the worship service. Sending them away to Children's Church deprives them of what they should be learning. Parents should be bringing their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). Not being in the worship assembly keeps children from learning and developing the discipline to sit still, to concentrate, and to have a longer attention span. Worship services teach children what worship is. Children learn by teaching, observation, and experience. The worship services are a place where children learn what true, good, sound preaching is all about.
They also learn that worship is NOT entertainment. If we train them in Children's Bible Hour that they can expect to be entertained during worship, why are we surprised when they don't do things decently and in order as adults (I Corinthians 14:40)?
The adults that are teaching the children are in no better shape. They are often nothing better than glorified baby sitters, and they are being forced to forsake the assembly (Hebrews 10:25).
There is no right way to do a wrong thing.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
My Son's Latest Funny Feat
WARNING: Not for the squeamish!
With deer hunting season in full swing, it could only be expected that my son get the fever too. Especially since we have great deer hunters on both sides of our family. While DH is out hunting today, DS really wishes he was out there too. He has bunk beds in his room. I went in there this morning to put laundry on his bed for him to put away. The sight I saw made me laugh out loud! He had taken his huge, almost as big as him, Clifford dog and had it strung up and hanging from his top bunk. He was all decked out in camo, and had his plastic play knife and was "processing his buck deer". He said it's a twenty point deer. I raced in the living room to get the camera, and by the time I got back (less than a minute), there was no evidence, and he was quietly putting away his laundry. His Clifford was laying on his made bed, and the knife was nowhere to be seen. Oh well. At least I have the memories!
With deer hunting season in full swing, it could only be expected that my son get the fever too. Especially since we have great deer hunters on both sides of our family. While DH is out hunting today, DS really wishes he was out there too. He has bunk beds in his room. I went in there this morning to put laundry on his bed for him to put away. The sight I saw made me laugh out loud! He had taken his huge, almost as big as him, Clifford dog and had it strung up and hanging from his top bunk. He was all decked out in camo, and had his plastic play knife and was "processing his buck deer". He said it's a twenty point deer. I raced in the living room to get the camera, and by the time I got back (less than a minute), there was no evidence, and he was quietly putting away his laundry. His Clifford was laying on his made bed, and the knife was nowhere to be seen. Oh well. At least I have the memories!
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