For Reals

I was just looking through other peoples blogs - some people I dont even know - and I find that those blogs that are most interesting, most admirable are those that are most real. Real about their feelings, about what its like to be a mom, to talk with God. Lately in my heart, one of the things I most desire is to be transparent. I want people - anyone/everyone - to be able to look at me and see all that I am. Without masks, without coverups. I think I want this mainly because I want people to see Jesus when they see me. And when they see me interact with my family and friends. Cause, gosh, I love Jesus. You know, He has been so faithful to me. He has been there to hold me in the most tender of moments. He has given me Hope and Good Gifts. I prayed Matthew 7:11 when I was praying for my husband, and WOW, did God ever give me the best!! And how I have failed Him - He who has given me so much. What is truly in my heart is that I can fullfill the plan He has for me. Jeremiah 29:11. He has a plan and a part for me to play in this great big life and I want to make Him proud. I want to make Him smile. Right now I am doing Beth Moore's bible study The Partriarchs. And as I see how Abraham and Sarah were made to wait for so long for their beloved son Isaac, I am inspired to be patient - cause there is so much I want RIGHT NOW. But that is not God's plan. Right now is not it - its for later. But boy when later comes.....its the Promise. How can I articulate what is in my heart? This is why blogging is so hard for me. I have a lot inside, but I just cant get it out. But at least Im being real...God, please help me to walk in the steps You would have me to, please give me discernment and strength to do all You have called me to. Thank you Jesus, You are my #1.

Dog Food & Babies

Today while watching the FSU Bulldogs win the world series, there was a commercial for AFL. It showed a guy who had had eye surgery and as his eyes were healing he couldnt see. His buddies said they would never tease about a football game but at the same time they handed him some "dip" which was actually dog food. As I watched this I told Neil the story of how once when my sister (who is older) and I were in elementary school my sister had packed my lunch for me and "lovingly" packed a baggie of dog food. At the time it wasnt so funny, but now I couldnt help but smile. Memories like this are the very reason we knew we had to have Haven. Justus needed a sibling to share life and memories with.

Neil and Justus discovered Godtube

Justus' new favorite video on Godtube...



www.godtube.com

Big Boy Bed

Drum roll please....Our first born, Justus, now has a big boy bed!!! This is Neil by the way. I spent the afternoon picking up the mattress, taking apart the crib, reassembling the crib's headboard and footboard with the conversion kit, which is an extra cost aside from the crib, and lastly putting the sheets, pillows and safety rail on for my boy. Kelly did a great job picking out the bedding - trucks, cars, traffic lights and "Beep Beeps" all over it. Justus was excited. He couldn't wait to climb up the bed and roll around - we even let him bounce alittle (on his knees or booty only!). One side note - we didn't realize how high the bed would be. I mean, the conversion kit's rail are so high off the ground. Add to that the box spring and mattress and let's just say its higher than any bed I remember from my childhood. I guess that's just the style now. Anyway - Justus was good getting to bed with a new bedtime routine. So far he's rolled around and explored alittle (we've been watching on the video monitor) - and that's all expected. Our concern will be what happens in the morning - will he (1) get up, open his door and come find mom and dad, or (2) just go find his toys and play, or (3) stay in bed and simply entertain himself as he's been taught? We'll see!

Amazing

I love to see my kids develop. I dont care if it is physical, academic, intellectual, spiritual - I just love to see them grow and understand and do. Today was amazing for us at the Pettit household because precious Haven crawled up to her walker toy/thing and pulled up on it and walked with it across the room until she bumped into the wall. She did this several times all on her own. She is one day shy of 8 mos. Amazing!

Compare and Contrast

Can I tell you that in school I always hated when we had to compare and contrast something. Usually it was a story or characters in a story or something dull like that. In real life, tho, what is more fun than comparing and contrasting my actual children. Justus and Haven. I look at Justus who is almost 2 1/2. He was the most horrible of babies. This kid really rocked my world in so many ways. He cried continually like a leopard. Everything I did was useless. His first 2 weeks of life seemed to last for 200 years. I was not myself for the first whole year of his life. Then once he could walk and I had effective discipline in place, life was and has been a breeze. But even in the midst of his leopard crying, the kid was a fantastic eater. He always ate everything and lots of it. He was always/is super busy. Dont dare try to cuddle him or even hold him. Ok, the contrast. In walks (slides) Haven. Perfection. This kid is great. Hardly cries. Hardly fusses. She is pretty quiet when she does have something to say. Loves to be held and will actually cuddle at times. At almost 8 months, the time has flown. I cant believe how old she is. The funny thing is she will not eat. Well, thats a little strong. She eats, but barely. Getting her to open her mouth is like trying to conjure magic. It just doesnt happen. In the great event something does sneak in, she likes it. Its not that the taste or texture bother her. She just wont open that perfect mouth. At her age, Justus was eating everything allowable. She so far has had rice cereal and a variety of about 5 fruits and veggies. Justus was off a bottle by 11 mos. At this rate, I think Haven will be taking her bottle to school with her!

Enough of the Compare/Contrast. I feel like Im back in school....ugh!

Wedding Day

Soooooo....the big question in my mind from the very beginning was "Will he do it?" and not just will he do it but will he do it without a fit, without punishment, without me doing it with him, without a fight or a very loud scream or screams. All of which he is super capable of. As was shown at rehersal. I prayed. Maybe a bit selfishly, but hey, I really wanted Justus to do a super job as ringbearer at our good friends wedding. Guess what...Justus was Clutch!!! He put on such a show....super cute, if I do say so myself. He first ran down part of the isle, then proceeded to hop, then walked the rest of the way. The whole time with a cool, confident air and huge smile. He met the groom at the front of the church, gave him bumps and then turned to the side. Perfect! Clutch! Thank you Jesus!!