More Christmas Pictures!!

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These are pics from Friday of Colt (4 months), Sarah (7 months), and Jacob, Sarah’s brother, (8 years old).

Since we are on the topic of Christmas again, I bought a gift certificate to a restaraunt for someone’s Christmas present the other day that had a catchy slogan on the front. However, I don’t think I quite liked it! It went something like: “It’s good to give, but it’s even better to receive!” Of course, I shouldn’t expect the world to promote the mind of Christ, but it also made me not want to promote that restaraunt anymore! . . . but I just crossed it out 🙂 haha It was a good reminder of what Christmas is really about though. the Father GAVE the most precious and priceless gift . . . but what did He RECEIVE in return? What am I giving back to Him? What will He say of me when I stand before Him? The Word says “it’s more blessed to give than to receive.” It also says “our righteousness is as filthy rags.” He is worthy of anything we could give, but we are so unworthy of His gift to us. Yet, I am sooo thankful for it!

So. . . “giving.”. . . I was reading in my devotions this week in Luke and this same verse continues to stick with me on a daily basis: Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

The two areas where many of us can be the stingiest are money and forgiveness. So after all that Jesus taught in the previous verses of Luke 6 about graciousness and generosity, He now sums it up with these two principles: 1) our blessings will be based upon our willingness to bless others, and 2) our measure of treating and judging others will be the basis used for measuring and treating us by others and by the Father  In other words, the Father has been gracious with us; we can either share that graciousness or abuse it. It was so encouraging to know that the Father’s Word tells us that we’ll receive back what we give – whether it be time, money, forgiveness, kindness or love, etc. . . it may not be right at that moment, but He will give it back – and so much more abundantly!!

The Pauley’s

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This is my dear friend Heather and her husband Ricky. Heather and I became friends July 4, 2001 (I know because . . . well, we just never forgot it!). Anyways, we lived close growing up and became the best of friends. We didn’t go to school together, but we were inseparable. I remember during the summers that we would spend all day together and then have sleepovers every night! I can’t quite remember all the “important” things that we did all day. . . but I’m sure we were very productive! It was kind of like “Anne of Green Gables” and her “bosom friend.” haha. . .

Anyways, it’s crazy that we are both married with little ones now! Although we can’t just do whatever whenever anymore, it’s been fun to hang out together with our hubbies and babies 🙂 Their sweet little girl, Addison Rae, was born November 7. She is just 3 months behind little man Colt. So, we joked that the real reason we had them over for dinner last night was to talk about an “arranged marriage” for our children.

We enjoy their company though, and the more we hang out. . . the more we find we have in common as semi-newlyweds and new parents 🙂

All that to say, I took some pics of Heather and Ricky last night, and we decided this was the easiest way for her to “retrieve” them. In case you didn’t know, you can right click on any of the pics on the blog and save them to your computer wherever you would like.

I must say, we couldn’t have done this without my wonderful husband though (aka baby hog). . . who so diligently took care of the baby girl 😉 He was loving it! And just so you know how much he was loving it – I only got to hold her ONCE and that was so he could eat his dinner! haha She just slept the whole time she was snuggled up to him. I love you so much Babe, and you are a wonderful daddy to our son!

Hope you like some of the pics Heather 🙂

What?!

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I must say that my husband has become quite the deer slayer. . . while I was happy for him, proud of him, and thankful for the meat – I never really considered myself much of a hunter. My dad had taught me how to shoot a .22 (little) rifle back in 9th or 10th grade for a school project. I enjoyed it, and even went hunting with him once that year. I climbed up in a tree stand and everything, only to freeze too death and see nothing but a squirrel! So, that was the beginning and end of my hunting career 🙂

Yet, I’m trying to share in my husband’s interest. Honestly, since he loves it so much (and I love him so much), I think it would be fun to take up the sport together. So, when he called me yesterday with a deer spotting, I left Colt with Grandpa and hurried to meet my Dear (not “deer”).

The funny thing was that we were running out of daylight and I had grabbed the wrong gun (I’m still learning)!! haha. So, we rushed back, grabbed the right gun and miraculously the deer were still there. Well, I hadn’t really prepared for this hunting season. . . or shot a gun since 9th/10th grade!! So, I prayed I would either drop the deer dead or miss her completely. I’d hate to wound one though.

I have always sort of chuckled at the hunters talking about the “rush” or adrenaline, but I actually felt it! That, or I was really nervous and the rifle was heavy. But, she dropped right there, and I killed my first deer last night! I think my deer made my Dear quite proud 😉

A New Milestone

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Colt has started sitting up this past week! Well, it’s more like “propping” up or the tripod position. But he’s on his way nonetheless! He’s also sleeping from 8:30-8. . . no more feedings, just some passy insertions. He is on a 4 hour schedule too with two 2 hour naps and a short one in the evening (thanks to the gracious advice of those who’ve gone before us -aka Julie!!). It’s working out great, and you were right Julie when you called this the “dream schedule”!

Speaking of physical growth and development, we had a great sermon at chrch tonight! The speaker asked how many of us had been to the doctor or had a physical recently? Of course we are careful to take care of ourselves and avoid sickness, etc. We also get excited about new growth and development in the little ones (like Colt)! 🙂

But when was the last time we had a “spiritual” check up? When was the last time we found ourselves reflecting on our spiritual state? Does it need improvement? Are we growing? Spiritual growth comes from things like:
-Worship (praise and adoration to the Deserving One)
-Fellowship with believers
-Relationship with the Father through study of the Word and prayer
-Reaching the lost
-Ministry (using our gifts and talents in service to others, for the Lord)
How do we measure up??

Optimum physical health comes from a balanced diet and exercise. Yet, spiritually speaking, how is our diet? Are we on the milk or meat of the Word? Also, do we have excess weight from lack of spiritual exercise? In what ministry/ministries are we involved?
Does it make sense to have a spiritual evaluation to you too? Or are we more concerned with the physical condition that we are in? With all the opportunities, knowledge, and time I’ve been given, I must say I could be farther along. . .

Don’t be weary. . .

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I have really enjoyed my devotions here recently. David and I just finished reading the book of Job and started in Luke for the month of December. It was refreshing and exciting to read about the birth of Christ with the Christmas season coming up.

However, I was in Luke 4 today. This is the chapter where Jesus had fasted in the wilderness for 40 days and then was tempted by the devil. It seems that the Father just keeps showing me ways to respond to the trials that life may bring.

From Job we learned 8 lessons:
1. Some suffering can and even does come from Satan (though allowed by the Father)
2. Suffering is not always an immediate result of sin (so don’t judge others)
3. the Father does not condemn honest anguish and despair
4. No one can know the reason the Father allows suffering
5. No one can understand completely another person’s suffering
6. the Father asks for faith in the midst of suffering
7. Suffering can and should bring glory to the Father
8. Suffering is under the control of the Father – He is all powerful and good!

Then this morning, from Luke 4 and the life of my sinless Savior (who was filled with the Holy Spirit), I was reminded that a state of physical weakness is no excuse to give place to the devil. So many days I’m physically worn down – whether just being exhausted or hungry or frustrated that things are running according to “my” schedule (I’m quite the task oriented person). I hate to admit that I often fail my Savior in my responses when I’m feeling weak physically. But, Christ was renewed and strong in the Holy Spirit even when physically weak! So, I have no excuse!! I should be able to draw my strength from the Lord and be spiritually strong to overcome the devil despite what this weary (and temporary, I might add) body may be feeling.

Temptation will do one of two things for an individual: it will either strengthen or weaken him. So, be encouraged and just remember the lessons learned from Job, as well as our sinless Savior. Remain spiritually strong, because life doesn’t seem to slow down, and its demands can be rigorous at times. Suffering and testing will either sweeten or sour you, soften or harden you.

These are a few of my favorite new things. .

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Colt is keeping us busy being so adorable in 9 month big boy clothes! I cannot believe it and don’t know whether to be happy he’s healthy or sad that he’s growing up so fast! The three of us just have a blast together! There is a never a dull moment that’s for sure. I don’t have a picture of Colt bouncing, but he will not stand without bouncing anymore. That’s a serious workout!! It’s like lifting 17.5 pound dumbells for this mama!

Colt loves to spin these toys on his exersaucer! He focuses so hard that it cracks me up 🙂

He always moves his hand over everything, just opening and closing it trying to feel new things or see if it makes a noise. It makes a scratchy sound on the bedspread here, so he’s entertained by that.

He coughs at you to get your attention 🙂 I was excited to catch it on camera!

He sees his feet now. . . and tries to use them to sit up on his own.

He will roll over occasionally too, but only on his terms. I can’t count the times we’ve tried to get him to roll over for us. It’s funny how he seems to do it when we aren’t looking or expecting it 🙂

That’s just of few everyday things in the life of Colt David (and Mommy I suppose). Children truly are a gift from the Lord!!

First Cereal!

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Mmm Mmm good 🙂

Sarah was so proud of her cousin following in her footsteps. . .

Licked that bowl clean!

More please!

At 4 months, we thought we’d go ahead and try to give Colt some cereal to help him stretch his night time sleep from 8-9 hours to 11-12 hours continuously. It didn’t even phase him though! He still slept from 8-5, got up to eat, and went back down until 8ish. I was slightly consoled when I read that at his age I shouldn’t expect him to go more than 8-9 hours at night without food at this age. Breastmilk just doesn’t last as long as formula they say. . .

Meeting more family!

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I finally got to meet “thefamilyof3scotts” – they’re blog is a link on family and friends. Julie (David’s cousin), Myron, and Evan were in Alum Creek visiting Myron’s family for Thanksgiving. David and Julie were joking about “what are the odds that we would both marry people from the small town of Alum Creek, WV?”

It was good to see them, and little Evan is so sweet! He was just sitting up, playing, talking and laughing away. Too cute!! We hope to see more of them when we move to North Carolina! I think Evan and Colt could have some fun together. Thanks for stopping by you all 🙂