Love and Faith

Well, now on to Josiah.  Well, I can't believe we have made it through our first month of kindergarten!!

Josiah, oh, Josiah...my firstborn.  You are the child that has been physically with us the longest.  You are the oldest...and oh, the responsibilities that come with that...and all the trial runs of Mommy and Daddy trying to figure this parenting thing out. 

I know there has been a lot of changes the last few months...a new baby, starting kindergarten, Daddy's work schedule changing.  I know you are more aware of the changes than your siblings are.  I know there are times when it effects you more, but you are like your Daddy in the sense that you are a smiley kinda guy and just go with the flow.  Josiah, this is a good characteristic to have...this is one thing I love about your Daddy...he has a faith and strength in God that doesn't waiver in changing times.  You also are such an affectionate little boy.  You have an overflowing of love to share with others...through a big hug, kiss on the cheek, a hand on an arm or a leg.  As you grow, I pray that you continue to show others love...that you realize that the love you have is an overflow of the love you receive from Jesus.  I pray that as you grow, your faith will not be wavered because of circumstances, but that you realize that your circumstances are an opportunity to relate to those around you and to show them the love of Jesus.  I love you, Josiah Potter, and I am so honored to be your momma!

Happy 5th Birthday!

Well, our first born is five today!!  It really seems like yesterday that we were finding out that we were pregnant with you.  Just like yesterday we were going to the hospital to meet you.  Just like yesterday that you were learning to sit up.  Crawl. Walk. Talk. Run.  I can't believe you will be starting kindergarten in September.  Most mommies would be sad to see their child dropped off for the first day of kindergarten, but our family is blessed that we get to home school our kiddos.  I will be a little sad because you are growing up...with you being our first born, there will always be a lot of sadness watching you do all the firsts.  But we know you are growing into the man God desires you to be and to be a part of that journey makes me find joy in my heart!

Josiah, your dad and I are so honored to be your parents.  You may never know how truly thankful we are to be your parents.  We love you, Josiah Potter!! 

Happy 4th Birthday!!

Well, I am a little behind on writing this, but I have FINALLY sat down to write a journal entry for your 4th Birthday.

Where do I begin?  It seems just like yesterday we were heading to the doctor office to confirm that we were pregnant with you...heading to our first OB appointment...having our ultrasound to find out if you were a boy or a girl...being showered with gifts...going to the OB once a week...heading to the hospital...FINALLY meeting you...heading home from the hospital.

We are so thankful for you and the boy that you is creating you to be.  I just stand in awe as we learn how God has wired you...I can already see the things that you are passionate about...one being the love you have for people...I see it with your sisters, with Mommy and Daddy, with the youth group.  I can only imagine how God is going to use that passion!!!  I can't wait to see the young man you will be coming one day...but honestly, I'm not in too much of a hurry...I still enjoy those moments when you want to cuddle on the couch and read a book or watch a TV show...when you come crawling into our bed full of energy and ready to face the day...the hugs you spontaneously give me.    

You are becoming such a gentleman...you hold your sister's hand while we walk to the car or cross the street...you help her into the van...you hold the door open (when it's not too heavy for you! ). Now, there are moments when you aggreviate the mess out of your sister, but the majority of the time, you are super sweet to her.

 I know you hear Mommy and Daddy say this quite a bit, but we are so honored to have been chosen to be your parents.  We are so proud of you and who you are becoming.  We love you more than words could ever say.  Happy 4th Birthday, Josiah Potter!!!

3 years, already?

I can't believe that we have a 3 year old!!  Seriously, where has the time gone!?!?   Josiah has grown up so much over the last three years.  He has gone from a crying baby who just wanted to be held and to sleep and to be fed to a sweet, smart boy who wants to grow up to be a man so he can have a wife and a baby.  He continues to be so sweet with Sophie--he holds the door for her when we are leaving to go somewhere; he holds her hand when we are walking through the parking lot or walking to our car from our house; he goes and gives her a hug when she is hurt.  With the new baby, he reminds us to pray for Baby G to keep growing in Mommy's belly.  These are things that make my heart skip a beat because he is learning how to be sensitive to those around him.

Are there times when I have a moment of sadness as I look at him and see how much he has grown?  Absolutely!!!  But I wouldn't slow time down for anything because I look forward to seeing how God is going to use Josiah and how He is going to grow him into the young man He desires him to be.

Josiah Potter, we are so thankful that you are a part of our family.  We are so priveleged to be called your mom and dad.  We look forward to many more years of watching you grow. We love you very much!!!

The Beginning of a Relationship

Well, I know it has been a LONG time since I have made the effort to write a journal. That is my fault and I will try to do better....now on to the topic for the day.

About 2 weeks ago, Josiah and I were riding to Sam's. As we were getting in the car he asked me "Hey Daddy, where is Jesus?" I told him that He was in heaven with God but that if he asked Jesus to be with him that Jesus would. Then I dropped the matter got in the car and we started down the road to Sam's.

After a few minutes of driving and conversation, Josiah goes back to the subject and tells me, "Hey Daddy, I want Jesus to always be with me." So, I told him that if he prayed and asked Jesus to come and be with him that Jesus would come and that he would never have to be alone again. I then asked him if he wanted to say a prayer. He said yes and so we said a simple repeat after me prayer for Him to ask Jesus to always come and be with him.

It was a great moment and a wonderful beginning to his desire to connect to God. And just to inject a bit of realism....the rest of the day went downhill fast and he was in trouble a lot. But hey! Satan can't be happy about such things so why be surprised.  We are thankful and blessed to have such a wonderful boy. I look forward to the days ahead.

That's all for now! Please keep us in your prayers.

Chris

Josiah Funny

Josiah funny: We were talking about the new baby and how there was a baby growing in my belly.  Josiah said he wanted a baby in his belly.  I explained to him that only girls can have babies in their bellies.  He thought about my comment for a few seconds and then responded with, “I need a wife.”  What a sweet and smart little man!  He is definitely excited about the new baby to say the least!  Chris then asked him if he wanted us to help him find a wife or if he wanted to do it on his own.  He told us he wanted to do it on his own.  Then Chris told him that there was someone who could help him.  Josiah wanted to know who.  Chris told him that God could help him find a wife.  Josiah thought about it and then said, "God and me will find a wife."  That is our prayer for him--that God is preparing a wife right now for him. 

CHRISTmas through the eyes of a child

CHRISTmas is just around the corner, and I'm enjoying seeing CHRISTmas thru the eyes of Josiah.  The excitment he has each morning as he sees the CHRISTmas tree never gets old.  This year, we have given him the responsibility to turn on the tree lights each morning and let me tell you he takes it very seriously!!  He even remembers to turn off the lights when we leave the house for an errand---I think he is taking after his Daddy on this one!!    I love how he says, "Daddy's favorite one," as our 1996 Olympic ornament plays the Olympic theme song.  There are times throughout the day where he will stand with his arms behind his back just gazing at the lights and ornaments.  One of his favorite ones to look at is a church that lights up.  He takes great responsibility in making sure Sophie isn't getting any of the ornaments, and he is quick to let me know if she is heading towards the tree.  I have to praise the Lord that we haven't had any big issues with her attacking the tree.  Honestly, I thought it was going to be a lot worse than it has been--she wasn't given the nickname "The Beast" for nothing!!!   

This year, we have been doing advent on a more consistent basis.  The last four Sundays, we lit four small candles.  The first one was the Candle of Hope, the second was the Candle of Love, the third was the Candle of Joy and the last one was the Candle of Peace.  The last week or so, Josiah has really had a desire to light the tall white candle--The Christ Candle.  Each day, we tell him, we don't light it until CHRISTmas Eve.  The next day, he is ready to light it again.  His excitement to light the Christ Candle is challenging to me because the excitment he has as he anticipates the lighting of this candle should be the same excitment I have as I anticipate CHRISTmas morning.  Josiah has challenged me to slow down and remember the real reason for CHRISTmas--the coming of our Savior. 

I have also enjoyed his sensitive spirit.  He is so willing to go and do things for others.  This year, we have donated money in honor of our family to help four kids get adopted.  We gave Josiah three options--to buy shoes for boys & girls, to buy diapers for babies or to help some boys & girls  get a Mommy and Daddy.  His immediate response was, "Help get Mommy and Daddy."  I pray that this spirit to take care of others continues to grow within him.

In just a few days, CHRISTmas will come and go, but I look forward to the tradition of The Twelve Days of Christmas we started last year.  I took the box out tonight to look at it, and I can't wait to go over each of the symbols with Josiah and Sophie.  Last year, Josiah really enjoyed having our Twelve Days of Christmas devotional, but this year I look forward to him being able to communicate what each item symbolizes about the Christian faith.  This year I will try to take pictures from each night and post in the album, so you can get a glimpse of how we live our life.