Rice

I found a recipe online the other day for apple pie oatmeal.  Since it seemed simple, and yummy I thought I would give it a try.  All I did was put oatmeal, water, apples and cinnamon in the crockpot before I went to bed and in the morning I woke up to a wonderfully fresh baked apple pie house.  I sprinkled the oatmeal with brown sugar and excitedly presented it to the kiddos.  They weren't the least bit thrilled with my new concoction.  Addison quietly ate the oatmeal up with little complaint.  I could tell she did not care for it, but didn't say so.  Luke, on the other hand, made it clear that he was not going to eat it.  So I made him sit at the table and eat it until it was gone.  It took awhile for him to finally get all of it down his throat, but it made me decide that this unthankfulness and pickiness has to stop.  So when snack time came around he got nothing.  When it was lunch time I presented him with a nice bowl of plain rice.  I told him that he was going to learn to be thankful for whatever was set before him.  As soon as he ate the rice and told me "thank you for the yummy food,"  he could have something else.  He decided to skip lunch, so he went up to his room for an early nap.  When he woke up I sat him at the table with his bowl of rice.  Still he refused to eat it.  By supper time I knew he had to be hungry.  We went to some friends and they had chili, one of his favorite meals.  He knew he had to eat the rice first and was actually excited to eat it.  After a couple bites he changed his mind.  At bedtime we talked about the Iraelites and how they complained about the manna.  He knew the story and we talked about how it was important to be thankful for our food and not complain about it. So now he is in bed, and his rice will be waiting for him at breakfast.  Hopefully in the morning he will see just how yummy that apple pie oatmeal was. But more imporantly I pray that he will learn how to give thanks in all circumstances.  And I REALLY hope he eats that rice soon because these lessons are hard on a mama. 

Our God is so BIG

I was doing my bible study this morning and I had to just stop and think about our wonderful Creator when I came across these verses. 

Isaiah 40:12-14 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, And marked off the heavens by the span, And calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, And weighed the mountains in a balance And the hills in a pair of scales?  Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, Or as His counselor has informed Him? With whom did He consult and who gave Him understanding?  And who taught Him in the path of justice and taught Him knowledge And informed Him of the way of understanding?
v. 26 Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, THe One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, Not one of them is missing.
v. 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired.  His understanding is inscrutable.

Proverbs 3:19-20  The Lord by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens.  By His knowledge the deeps were broken up.  And the skies drip with dew.

And I am always astounded when I read Psalm 139:13-16  Maybe because after you have a baby these verses seem that much more amazing.
For You formed my inward parts: You wove me in my mother's womb.  I will give thanks to You , for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.  My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.
I think these verses are so awesome because they give us a glimpse of God's greatness. Something I cannot fully understand.  But I can understand enough to know that this is the God, the only God I put my trust in.

A Sleepover!

 The other night was the first time Addison had a friend over to spend the night.  It was so much fun!  Emery and Addison played and played.  Luke tried to get into their business like all little brothers do.  He played "house" with them some, and I think the girls liked having a "dad".  But then Luke got to spend some quality time with his daddy.  Luke was thrilled to get to sleep on the top bunk for the first time.  He did great!

 The girls were in their own little world of make believe.

It is so sad that these friends have to say goodbye.  We love the Lees and will miss them so much.  When we told Addy they were moving she immediately asked, "Will Emery be able to come to my birthday party?"  Then she said, "Emery can just stay with us when they move."  I don't think she quite understands Emery is moving and she won't see her anymore.  In the meantime we will let them have fun together, play, and make memories.  Check out this memory from a few years ago. http://themarshallfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/2009/07/fun-day-at-melvern-lake.html  Maybe one day they can be college roommates or something.