SSMT #10

I have no idea how this happened but I have 11 verses in my Scripture spiral. According to Beth, this is verse #10. Hmmm.....I always knew I was gifted. :)

"Fools vent their anger but the wise quietly hold it back." Proverbs 29:11 (NLT)

This verse was our first family worship time to kick-off our Significant Summer. I chose it for our devotional because Esther Grace is having biting issues and Jonah is struggling to tolerate it. I thought it would be good for them. During our morning, Jonah's face lit up and he proudly exclaimed,
    
"Oh, Mommy! This verse is really good for you to not lose your temperature!"

Yep. Temperature.

So naturally, if my four-year-old clearly recognizes the need for this in my life, I've got to memorize it.

Our Signifcant Summer's off to a great start!

Jonism: A Blogging Revival?

Over the past week, Jonah's added to his strange individualistic vocabulary. Hopefully, he'll keep me in abundant supply of blogging material since I've been rather at a loss lately. (Well, it's not really material per se as it has been time.)

He has a small blemish on his right cheek. I tried to inspect it one night during bath time because it looked like a bug bite to me. He greatly protested and said, "Mommy! Leave my flickle alone!"

That's right. A flickle. Not a pimple. Not a freckle. But a flickle.

His tastes have also graduated now that he's four. I guess you grown-up taste buds accompany grown-up acne. He doesn't like just plain, old vanilla ice-cream anymore. Now, he prefers it covered in hot swudge swauce. (Always said with a swirly flourish of his hand as if he's swooping a Dairy Queen cone with the perfect swirly finish, much to his father's chagrin.)

Must get that from his Mama. His sister shares the same inherited trait.

I picked him up from preschool the other day and he informed me that one of the boys in his class was absent that day.
     "Hmmm, do you think he was sick?" I inquired.
     "Oh Mommy, yes! He has pig eye!"
     "Pig eye?"
     "Yes. It's when your eyes get pink like a pig's and they're really itchy."

I'm not so sure my hopes and dreams for medical school will play out.

I saved the best for last. Just when you think my child is destined for a minimum wage job that requires absolutley no verbal skills whatsoever, he goes and says....

At BSF the other day, Jonah's class was talking about how Jesus is called many different things in Scripture. He's known as Messiah, Christ, Savior, God's Son, etc. Jonah's hand shot up. (When his teacher was telling me this story, my brain immediately thought, "There is noooooo tellin'..." at this exact moment.)
     "Yes, Jonah?" the teacher asked.
     "Jesus has LOTS of nicknames."

If not an MD, than maybe a teacher of the Word?

Jonah's Own Little World

Jonah: "Hey- is it okay if I go play with some of my friends for a 'bittle bit'?"

Mommy: "Well, where are you going?" (Knowing full well he's not going anywhere today, seeing as he's dressed in his footie pajamas with a gun holster around his waist and holding a wooden sword and all.)

Jonah: "Um...to Nerf County."

Mommy: "Really? Well, where is that exactly in case I have to find you later?" (At this point, I'm thinking he's going to say his room or something.)

Jonah: "Weh-eeeelllllllll......you take a 'wite' and go down that road, you know right past all that speed stuff? And then after another 'wite' it's just right there!" (Complete with hand motions directing me to this place.)

Mommy: "Oooookay. But just make sure you're not mean."

Jonah: "Oh, I'm not. (Shoulder shrug and quick evaluation of himself) I'm just dressed up as a pirate." (As he charges out of my bedroom.)

What goes on in that little mind of his? We may never know.

Jonism: A Teenager at 3?

Sunday, we went to a climbing gym that Bear has found. Stephanie Cannon rode with me and the kids. We went for Mexican afterwards at this GREAT place. (Honestly, I went for the food.) On the way, there was chaos in the backseat because Esther Grace was hungry- heaven forbid the child not eat for at least an hour!- and Jonah couldn't hear his movie due to the fact that Esther Grace was having a moment. I stopped at a gas station and ran in to get some reinforcements while Steph stayed in the car with the kids. The following conversation ensued:

Stephanie: "Jonah, is everyone just in a bad mood today?"
Jonah, a bit indignantly: "No. That's not it."
Stephanie: "Well, what is it then?"
Jonah, with a sigh accompanied by an eyeroll and hands out in explanation: "It's just that kids just need their mommies to do what they're told and sometimes they just don't do it."
Stephanie, trying to stifle her sudden urge to lose it: "Why do you think that is, Jonah?"
Jonah, in complete exasperation: "Huhgh- it's just that mommies, they have things they need to do too."

When did we skip childhood and go straight to the teens?

At the climbing gym, I started thinking about what he said. God said to me, "Kristen, look at this from My perspective."

God: "Kristen, are you in a bad mood today?"
Kristen, indignantly: "No. That's not it."
God: "Well, what is it then? You can tell me. I made you. I know you. Trust me with your worries."
Kristen, with that know-it-all expression that He sees way too often: "It's just that I just want You to do what I need You to do and You just won't do it."
God, in complete undeserved patience: "My child, trust Me. I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. My ways are higher than yours and they will be accomplished. Rest in that and have peace."
Kristen: "Okay, God. But could You hurry it up a bit?"

I am so glad that God is not contained by the pre-set boundaries I place on Him. Thank You, Lord for Your insights You so faithfully give me day-in and day-out. Keep teaching me. I may be in the remedial class but with a little tutoring, I'll get there!

"The LORD Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen."...For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?" Isaiah 14:24, 27



It's Strictly a Parenting Issue

Okay, so I'm seeing a trend among Jonah's friends. First, there's Carter and his humble attitude. :) Bless him. He's such a sweet boy.

There's also Charlie, Jonah's cousin. I was talking to "Aunt B" (Brooke, my sister-in-law and mother to Charlie) about the kids a few weeks ago. She actually has two babies, well- they're almost 4. Charlie & Sarah are fraternal twins and are quite full of personality...in a good way, mind you.

Don't you just love the boots with the dress? She is a fashion connoisseur, let me tell you!

"Bant B", as Jonah calls her, was sharing how her two were at the playground and there was a tunnel slide. Sarah climbed up on top of the slide while Charlie crawled into the opening at the bottom. Then, Charlie proceeds to jump out of the opening with arms raised and shouted, "I AM RISEN!!!" Is that not precious?! Apparently, he was Jesus and Sarah was the angel at the tomb.

To go along with this pattern of Bible interpretation and application, Jonah came home from preschool the other day with a chapel story. Did you know that Abraham was running away from his "emenies", the Ammorites, when God told him to go to Nineveh? Yes, and when Abraham heard that he decided that he didn't want to go and so he ran away from God. But he didn't get far because there was a big sea in his way. So guess what he did? He stuck his big stick in the sand and God parted the water and they all walked across on dry land! Somehow, later on in the day, he added chains, jail, and a prison break to the story; however, Paul and Silas were nowhere to be found. Hmmmmmmm......let's hope he doesn't make a career out of writing commentaries!

I have no idea what version of the Bible Jonah's reading. And what is it with these boys wanting to be Divine? I'll tell you what I think. It's strictly a parenting issue.

Most boys their age emulate superheroes or run around playing good guy vs. bad guy. These three? They pretend to be the Ultimate Superhero. I mean, come on. What superpower is better than being risen from the dead? How do they know these things? Because their parents are teaching them God's Truth. Granted, things can get a little skewed...Abraham? Red Sea? Ammorites? Yeah. But what these young ones understand is that there is a God Who is All-Powerful and in control. He Alone holds the world in place and it is safe to trust Him with everything. They know that there are heroes of the faith (Hebrews 11-12) and they want to be a part of that Hall of Fame!

I read something very powerful in my Bible study notes the other day: "What we believe about God determines what we believe about ourselves, our world, our purposes, and our lives. What we believe determines how we behave." Yes. Even on the playground.

Oh, Lord- that I would be as bold as these toddlers! To live out my faith so unashamedly! What a blessing.

Thank you Ryan, Kelli, Russell, and Brooke for teaching your babies what really matters despite what this world may say. You embrace Matthew 19:14 wholeheartedly- "Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." You bring your children to Him everyday and by your example, encourage me to do the same. It's hard to inspire strength mixed with humility in a little fella, boldness seasoned with grace in a baby girl. But we have to do it because we're called to.

"These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life....Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:1-2, 5-7

So thanks for your support and encouragement guys! (And if you find a Cliffs Notes on the Holy Bible, could you send it my way? I'm thinking we need a refresher course on the whole Old Testament.)

Hodgism

I posted about Jonism here. Carter Hodges is our neighbor. He's 4 and Jonah thinks they are brothers. Literally. Maybe because it's they share similar life theology. They are two peas in a pod. Here's a sampling of Carter's 'Hodgism':

Carter's parents, Ryan and Kelli, have been trying to teach him humility because everytime someone gives him a compliment, he affirms them. For example:

"Wow, Carter! That sure was a good throw."
"Yeah, I know. I'm good at that."
"Hey Buddy, thanks for sharing with Jonah. That was really sweet of you."
"Yeah, I know. I'm a pretty sweet boy."

Well, at church a while back Carter's Sunday School class was learning about the story of Moses and the burning bush. Carter's teacher, a good friend of Ryan's, was assigning parts to the kids so they could act out the whole story. There were many roles to consider: Moses, his donkey, the bush, Zipporah (Moses' wife), Moses' children, etc. When asked which part Carter wanted to play, he paused contemplating his choices and matter of factly stated, "Yeah. I'll be God."

Way to go, guys. I totally think that humility thing is workin' for ya. Not to worry though 'cause I'm right there with you.

Just today, Jonah showed sincere humility while riding with my mom. They were running errands and my mom told him, "Jonah, did you know that you're my favorite boy in the whole wide world?"
He simply stated, "Yeah." Then, after a pause, said, "God thought-" and stopped.
"God thought what?" my mom asked, curious as to what in the world could possibly follow.
"God thought, 'She's really gonna like this boy!'' was his oh-so-humble reply.

I think this friendship will go far.

"...there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24

Jonisms: The Photo Edition

"Jonah Rockets"

"Pillows"

"Mothsp"

"Casseen"

(formerly known as "Bubbles")

"Moozie"

"Breakfast"

Words for Thought

Hipples: the two dark colored circles found on one's chest

Example: While in the tub..."Mommy! The water's all the way up to my hipples!"

Not to be confused with...

Nipples: the concentric circles that are a result of an object breaking water's surface

Example: While eating a popsicle on the dock & feeding the catfish..."Woah! Did you see that?! That fish's got some pretty big nipples!"

And finally...

No way, Hosanna: an expression used when something is completely absurd or out of the question

Example: "Jonah, it's time to take a nap." "No way, Hosanna!"

Jonisms

Jonism: a comment, thought process, theory, or simply an observation based upon life as perceived by our three-year-old, Jonah

Today, as we were going through the McDonald's drive-"way"....

"Mommy, I sure hope they are in a good mood today because if they are than perhaps they will give me a boy toy. (As opposed to the girl toy, barrettes, that Burger King gave him by mistake a few weeks ago.) I would like to order chicken nuggets and a hamburger, apple slices, and some bubbles (any carbonated beverage). The brown kind (Coke)."
He just got the nuggets. I don't understand the fascination with combo platters lately.

Later at the library, while waiting for it to open (1:00 on Wednesdays)......

"Mommy, how long 'til it's open?"
"27 minutes, dear. Hmmmmm, I know someone's birthday has a 27. (His is March 27.) And I know someone who's memorizing his Bible verse with a 27 in it. (John 10:27-he totally can do it.) Do you know who that might be?"
"Me. But Mommy, I can't say my Bible verse here because someone will hear me."
"Honey, that's good if they hear you talk about Jesus. Everyone needs to know about Him."
"No, Mommy. I can't because then eeeeeeeeeveryone will see how cute I am and say, 'Oh, that's Jonah! I want to take him home with me!' So I can't."

There you go. I think maybe we'll be working on humility as our next character trait.