New Bible Scholar

This week it dawned on me that we needed to get Julian a bible. We have several children's bibles with tons of pictures, but this seemed to immature for our fluent reader. Watching him read these 300 to 400 page books by Brian Jacques brought me to this thought. I thought how natural it would be for him to now pick up his own bible and read chapters at a time. Even for fun! Jules was on board. We talked about the importance of reading the bible and the richness of it.

We waited for Scott to get home from work and went to our local bookstore to find a good bible for JJ. We found a Max Lucado bible that was written for kids between the ages of 8 and 12. It is a devotional bible that fits him. We also found a devotional book entitled My Big Book of 5-Minute Devotions by Pamela and Douglas Kennedy. This devotional is super cute devotional is perfect for my little animal lovers.

~Let me say a little something here. I have grown a lot in my walk with the Lord. I know full well that just having a bible and having a devotional time daily isn't the only answer in growing closer to the Lord. Our faith encompasses so much more. However, if I can assist Julian and help give him the tools needed to seek the Lord at this early age and be as good as an example as I can~ I am steering him in the right direction. Two of Julian's greatest passions are reading and history, what better history book could he read?~

We brought the kids home and before we knew it Julian was asking where the story of David and Goliath is in the bible. I led him to 1 Samuel 17 and he read three chapters immediately. He stood up and said to anyone who was listening," I really like David. He was a really neat guy."

Yesterday morning, after breakfast, Julian came to me and said," If you want to know where I'll be, I will be in my room reading my bible." I said, "well, okay bud!" There is something to be said about allowing a child to find his faith as a child. Sure, I teach the children every morning about something related to the Lord and our life in him. Julian is reading the stories for himself and asking questions. He has an interest. Isn't that what the Lord wants of us? He wants us to come willing to learn, humble and like a child.

Quote

"Our greatest natural resources are the minds of our children."

~ Walt Disney

Undecided

We visited Durham and Chapel Hill yet again searching for a home for us. We viewed two homes, one of which might be the one. The home that we like needs a lot of work done to it but is very spacious. We are talking 2200 sq ft spacious. We have a lot of questions unanswered about this home but it has real potential. We will continue looking at other homes as we find out more about this particular house.
We took the kids this time as we visited. It made it more interesting that is for sure. Saturday was absolutely beautiful, very warm. The kids loved the area. We were comforted by their reactions to what they saw.

Happy Birthday Julian!

Today has been a very full day. From sun up to sun down we have been celebrating our Julian. We have had french toast, streamers, balloons, playdate, treasure hunt, cake, gifts, phone calls from family, biking at the Greenway, and the purchase of flip flops to celebrate the first of Spring. Whew. Life is good.

I have posted several photos of our day. Many of them are of Julian with Madelyn, Kalen, Price and Bryant as they are reading clues that Scott hid for the treasure hunt. They did enjoy their booty!

Julian was born on Marçh 22nd of 2000. He was born at 5:53pm and I remember being so in awe of his little life. Scott and I hardly closed our eyes that night. We couldn't stop smiling. We kept reliving his birth. What a gift.

Julian is special in so many ways. He has grown so much, as a person, within the last couple of years. He is a young man. A young man that loves his siblings and adores being home. He loves to read. He reads 400 page books in a couple of days. No kidding!! He craves it. Julian also loves his computer games. He has been given many LEGO sets that require him to put certain things together and does it so naturally. He is learning to play the recorder, an introduction to notes and reading music. He loves nature. Julian has a great Playmobil collection. He likes knights and that whole scene. Just a real interesting young man, so full of life.

We are thankful for the chance to raise this little guy.

So, Happy Birthday JJ!! We love you so much.

Happy Children

We were out and about in town today and a comment was made to me that made me think. It is not unusual for me to receive comments when I am in public with my kids. A lady told me that my kids seem to be so happy. I agreed, they indeed are.
What a blessing to have children that wear smiles on their faces almost all day long. They are such an inspiration to me daily. They really have the ability to bounce back so easily. Ahhh . . . to be able to bounce back easily. What a challenge.
I am truly thankful for children. Their sense of wonder, their creativity, their hope, their laughter, and their love of life.

Things Learned

Last Saturday, we checked out some rental homes in Chapel Hill and Durham. Scott's parents, Shanda and Brady went with Scott and me. We did not find our future home but we learned quite a bit. We learned where we didn't want to live and what neighborhood would be best.

It was exciting to be there knowing that we would soon live in that area. Scott's family was so encouraging and definitely made the adventure of house hunting humorous.

So, the search continues.

South Carolina Girls

I got a call from my good friend Jennifer yesterday. She was in the area visiting her family and wanted to drop by. Of course, I was thrilled. Jen and her family mean a great deal to my family. Daniel was not with them but she did have the girls, Ellen and Arianna.

It was such a joy having them around yesterday afternoon. The kids played hard. We went out to eat and Jen decided to stay the night. We had movie night for the kids. Then, this morning we woke up to SNOW! What a treat! We made french toast and tried to savor every minute the were here.

Jen and her family live in South Carolina. Daniel is attending USC and teaching as well. Jen has done a great job plugging into the homeschooling community there. She is an amazing mother and such a people person. She is one of those life-giving types of people.

We treasure any amount of time we get to spend with this sweet family.

Bad Apple

We have been experiencing some difficulty with our Apple Computer. On Sunday, we noticed that it just shut off. We were not too happy about this find. We called in for help. Apple sent a guy to help today. I told him he was our hero for the day. So, we are back in the saddle. I will be posting again real soon.

House Hunting

We are scheduled to see three homes in the Chapel Hill and Durham area tomorrow. We are hopeful. These homes are for rent.

Scott's parents and sister are going with us and the kids are going to spend the day with Grandma and Annette. Of course, our little Brayden will be with me. I think it will be an eventful day for all of us!

I'll keep you all posted.

Vegan French Toast

Vegan French Toast Recipe

Ingredients

1 block tofu
1 cup soy milk
several dashes of cinnamon
1/2 cup of sugar or more
1-2 tsp of vanilla
loaf of bread

Method

Blend everything but the bread. Dip the bread into this mixture and fry it in an oil/earth balance coated pan until golden brown. Top with sugar, powered sugar or maple syrup.

(recipe from veganfood.com)

A new life

Gavin, Emily, Raegan, and Reece Long have a new baby girl! Eliot Katherine Long was born this morning. Gavin reported that Mom and Baby are doing fine.

Happy Birthday Eliot!!

Brayden is 10 months old today!

Brayden is such a sweet presence in our home. Today he turns 10 months old! We love this little guy so much.

He is famous in our home for his army crawl. He is starting to pull up a little.

Just recently, we learned that he loves Scott's homemade french toast.

He still loves sucking his fingers. Such a cutie!

Two weeks ago, we started him with his own roomtime! Yes, that is how sacred we believe this is! We start this real early. He sits in his little pack n' play and plays with his toys and books for about 15 minutes. Over time this will lengthen and he will graduate into having access to his whole room!

Thank you, Lord, for this beautiful and amazing little boy!

The Blessedness of Possessing Nothing

Father, I want to know Thee, but my coward heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide from Thee the terror of the parting. I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart all those things which I have cherished so long and which have become a very part of my living self, so that Thou mayest enter and dwell there without a rival. Then shalt Thou make the place of Thy feet glorious. Then shall my heart have no need of the sun to shine in it, for Thyself wilt be the light of it, and there shall be no night there. In Jesus' name, Amen.

-A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

Sleeping Bags + Hill = FUN

If all else fails, send the kids outside with some sleeping bags. Yesterday and today the kids have had a ball rolling down our backyard hill in their sleeping bags. This was their idea. Why not?

As he left

In my mind I'm going to Carolina . . .

As Scott left this morning, I sang him this little part of James Taylor's song. I've been playing it over and over in my mind as well. Last night Scott, his parents and I made the official decision to commit to UNC. Yippee!! So thrilled that the decision has been made. So delighted that Scott has his parents complete support. Without the Lord and his parents, this would not be possible.

The Morrison family will be moving to Chapel Hill or Durham in June. We are so excited. Of course, we are nervous about this major change. This is requiring us to take a step of faith. We have to trust that the Lord will indeed give us the strength and meet our needs. We really feel this is right and have a real peace about it.

So it is house hunting time!! We'll travel in a week or so to look at homes that are for sale or rent.

Way to go, Scott! You have worked so hard to get this far. I believe in you! What an adventure awaits for us!