Mighty to Save!

As we were driving to visit my mom and sister for lunch today, we were listening to our local Christian radio station, KLTY. I was singing, the kids were clapping, and I didn't think much of it.

About three or four hours later, as Nolan and I were putting his train set together, I recognized he was singing Mighty to Save by Hillsong. I have always loved this song, and when I hear it, it sticks with me for quite some time.

Sweet Nolan had been paying attention (although, this isn't his first exposure to this song), and he knew many of the lyrics! I started singing it with him, and he soon became embarrassed.

A little while later, as I was working on the computer, I could hear him singing it to himself again while playing with a truck. I wish I had my camera next to me to catch it on video. It was the sweetest, most innocent sound!

This evening after Craig got home, we were singing it a bit more. I then heard Ella chiming in with the words "save" and "King" at the appropriate times.

My heart is full.

It's not an everyday occurrence that you feel and clearly see you're making much of a difference as a stay-at-home mom. Tonight, I'm fully aware that what my children hear matters. How I act and treat others makes an impact.

This is my job, to raise our children in a loving, Christian environment so that they will become followers of Christ. To see that Nolan is paying attention and being quite the sponge, I'm grateful I have the job I have; to be an example for our kids everyday. It makes me strive to be a better Christian role model in all I do, whether I'm being watched or not.

Everyone needs compassion
Love that’s never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Saviour
The hope of nations


Saviour
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave


So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender


Shine Your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing
For the glory of the risen King
Jesus
shine you light and let the whole world see
were singing
for the glory of the risen king

I pray you know our Savior who is mighty to save!

He gets it?

Here's a couple conversations we had over the past few weeks:

Me: Hey, Craig, do you want to go get some I-C-E-C-R-E-A-M?
Nolan: I do!
Me: Oh, yeah, Nolan, what do you want to do?
Nolan: You know, A-B-C.

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Me: Hey, Craig, do you want to go for a W-A-L-K after dinner?
Nolan: Yeah.
Me: What's W-A-L-K mean, Nolan?
Nolan: I want to go for a walk.

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Hmmm. I love that Nolan understands that when we're spelling things, we're using letters. On the other hand, maybe our "secret" code talking isn't so secretive anymore! He gets it. Gotta love it!

Happy Birthday, Nolan!

Holy Cow, Nolan's 2!!! What a fun day today was!

We had several things to do today, including Ella's present to Nolan, which was a trip to the doctor for her. This evening, Mimi and Papa took all of us to CiCi's. Nolan loves pizza, and he sure ate his fair share. (Three pieces of pizza, some pasta salad, some pasta w/spaghetti sauce, a bowl of olives for the birthday boy, and a bit of dessert! This two-year-old boy can put it away! Watch out teen years!!!)

I made an attempt at an Elmo cake. The frosting was the trickiest part, so don't mind the decorating patch jobs. He liked it, and that's all that mattered. We're having family over on Saturday, so I'll be attempting a better looking cake tomorrow.
Praying over his cake.
Nolan is so sweet when it comes to prayers before we eat. Sometimes in the middle of eating, he wants to pray again. He's very particular that Mommy, Daddy AND Ella all fold hands and pray with him. We must be doing something right!
You can do it, Nolan. Blow out those TWO candles!
We gave him a bowling set since we've got such the perfect never-ending hallway for this type of game. He had such a great time!
Even if he missed, he ran and knocked the pins down on his own and just squealed in delight!
Happy Birthday, Nolan. We love you very much and can't wait for another wonderful year ahead!

My baby isn't a baby

What a joy you are, Nolan! Tonight, as I'm reminiscing the last two years, I can't believe it's gone by so quickly! Just two years ago, we were anxious for tomorrow to come, not knowing if you were a boy or girl, and we had no clue how our lives would be forever changed! Before ever seeing you, it wasn't until that moment when you breathed your first breath and wailed your first cry, that my heart overflowed with love, in a way that can't ever be described, that I truly knew what it meant to unconditionally love your baby.

Nolan, you're such a smart, happy, funny, handsome, and independent little boy. I'm proud of you, and I'm so honored that God chose me to be your mom! I love you, my little doodle bug!

You're learning so quickly. It seems as if you explode with a new word every time I turn around. You bring such joy to our lives!