Puppy love

Daniel loves Annie. He laughs every time he sees her. He reaches for her, lunges toward her, tries to pet her. Annie, on the other hand, is what I would call tolerant of Daniel. Note her expression in the photo below. Somewhat pained.

One slight problem with this relationship is that Daniel tested positive for dog allergies. Since then, Annie has been living outdoors. With the cold weather, we have allowed her inside once again, but she is restricted to the linoleum floor. Daniel is delighted with this arrangement and constantly comes to "visit" her. We are thankful that he exhibits no negative reactions to being around her. No stuffy nose, no sneezing, nothing. Maybe there is hope for this friendship after all!

Christmas is coming!!!

Mr. Daniel is getting six new teeth all at one time. This makes for some short nights and sleepy parents! Otherwise, our little man is doing great. He is jabbering more and more. At the grocery store yesterday, he "talked" to just about everyone we passed! He is also very intrigued with putting objects inside cups and containers. He puts his pacifier in his cup, and then takes it out again. Over and over and over! For Christmas, we are giving him a shape sorter, which I think he will really enjoy. Oh goodness, I am looking forward to Christmas with Daniel. I cannot wait to post photos of him in his Christmas outfit. Lots of laughs are in store!
When I decorated for Christmas this year, I had to make some minor adjustments. For example, we did not put up our normal 7 foot tree. Instead, we put our little 3 foot tree on a table. This saves me from constantly protecting Daniel and the ornaments from one another. However, he can still reach the cord for the lights, but so far we have avoided any tree catastrophes.

New Favorite

Song to the King by Pocket Full of Rocks

I've felt the thunder
speak of Your name
And I've watched the lightning
Your glory proclaim
I've gazed upon mountains
that testify of Your fame
And I've heard the waves on the ocean
echo their refrain

Chorus
This is my song, my song to the King
And I stand in awe of Your majesty
And I don't have much
but I give everything
This is my song, my song to my King

It seems all creation
is longing for You
From here to the farthest star
they're worshipping You
And who am I God
that You are mindful of me
I'm simple in heart, simple in song
I'm a small offering
(Chorus)

And all of creation hesitates now
All of the angels
stop singing now
As the King of all glory
listens to my song
(Chorus)

Righteousness

The Lord has been speaking the same message to me for several days now. It has to do with righteousness…with fulfillment…with joy. The verse in my devotional this morning sums it up nicely.

Galatians 3:3
Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?

I have been walking with the Lord for quite awhile. And still…still I try to create righteousness for myself with my own two hands. It never works. It never will work. So why do I, and most everyone in this world, keep trying?

Here is how it affects me. I am a perfectionist. I feel fulfilled and satisfied when everything around me is organized, put away, finished. I have this constant drive to “get things done.” I love marking things off my to-do list. Now, perhaps these traits are not bad in and of themselves. But, what I find so tempting is to place my happiness and self-worth on these very external, worldly things. And I can NEVER get everything done or have everything just exactly as I want it. My to-do list is never complete.

At our prayer group last week, my mom said the most profound thing. I knew it was straight from the mouth of God when she spoke it. She said that God does not want us resting in a righteousness that is not His righteousness. Ahhh…righteousness. My only righteousness comes from being washed clean by the blood of Christ. It most certainly does not come from having a clean house, organized closets, perfect relationships, etc.

My dear cousin Melody wrote something in her blog several months ago that really spoke to this phenomenon. She said, “It doesn’t have to be just so, for it to be so sweet.” Life (like my house) is not neat and tidy. Praise God that our joy does not rest on circumstances being perfect. True joy and peace come only from following Jesus. Ahhh...what a relief!

This and that

Not much new to report around our house. Daniel is keeping us busy, busy. He crawls faster than lightening, and he is constantly pulling himself up on whatever furniture is nearby. You can't take your eyes off the child for one moment. I was trying to put my contacts in this morning, and he escaped from his bumbo, crawled to the toilet, pulled himself up, and was unwinding the toilet paper. I only turned my back for a few seconds, and he was able to accomplish all of that.
His speed and mobility make for some interesting situations. For example, I decided to cut his hair one evening. Someone had mistaken him for a little girl the day before, which completely surprised me. Daniel has looked like a boy since the day he was born. However, with his long wispy blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes, I could almost understand the confusion. So, we decided a little trim was needed. I placed Daniel in his bumbo, gave him a toy for distraction, and took a few snips of his bangs. I gasped in horror. What had I done? He suddenly looked like Moe from the three stooges. In addition to that, Daniel had become bored with his toy (it took all of 10 seconds) and decided to start grabbing at the scissors. I called for reinforcements. Brian ended up holding Daniel's head still and his arms down while I finished the job. Daniel was not happy with this arrangement and gave quite a struggle. It was certainly not the best hair cut I ever gave, but we got it done. :)
Here are some photos from the past couple of weeks.

Playing in the leaves

Sitting on his cow

Daniel with his favorite toy...the TV remote

Brian and his boy

Daniel and me, taken on my birthday!

First Halloween

We hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween!

Moo!

Our little cow

P.S. Brian says that Daniel was not a cow for Halloween...he was a baby bull. I guess that would be correct...I am the only cow in this family. Ha!

When Sleep Is Withheld

The past few nights have been rather sleepless for me. Daniel is struggling with a cold and has not been sleeping well. Even when he is slumbering peacefully, I have been unable to sleep. I cried out to God (and anyone else who would listen). How can I go on like this? I have not had one full night of sleep in nine months. It cannot be good for my body…not to mention my mental functioning!

This morning, my eyes happened to fall on a poem written by Ruth Bell Graham, entitled “When Sleep Is Withheld.” She talks about when God asks for our nights. We have the choice to take the easy path or the blessed path. Suddenly, a load was lifted from my shoulders. Sleep, like all good things, comes from the hand of God. He is completely aware of my physical needs as well as my spiritual ones. Perhaps this time has been ordained for greater blessing…for getting to know Him better…for discovering His will.

When I become sleep obsessed, I miss out on the joy of my present circumstances. I count the minutes until I can go to bed, instead of enjoying those precious minutes with my son and husband. I also miss the blessings God is providing in the midst of this sleeplessness. He has sustained me miraculously. Even when I have little sleep, I still walk through my day with sufficient energy. What a blessing!

I am once again reminded that our joy does not come from outward circumstances. Joy is something that Jesus plants deep down in our hearts. Joy comes from doing God’s will. And God always provides what is needed to do His will…sleep or no sleep. Praise the Lord!