One More Month as a Party of 3!

We're now less than one month away from our baby girl's due date... that doesn't seem possible, but it's true! All three of us are so excited about finally holding her one day soon. (Of course, M doesn't yet realize how much this little girl is going to change his world!)

Here are a few of the things that have kept us busy lately:

Language - With baby girl on her way, we know that we need to make the most of the last few weeks before her arrival! Once she gets here, we'll still be working hard to learn language, but our hands will be a little more full.... and our minds a little more tired!

Our best study tool has proved to not be flashcards, a voice recorder, or memorization. It's practice! I love when we can combine language learning with something fun... like learning how to make chapatis and dal from our helpers. Lately, we have asked them to cook rather than clean one day per week, and it has been really fun to try some delicious new things and spend the extra time conversing with them.

Potty Training - This is still a work in progress, but I am just thankful that progress is being made. I don't know if he'll be nighttime and nap-time trained before baby S gets here, but at least it's a start!

{Shameless bribery using a wrapped gift from my aunt's last package. He scored a Big Brother t-shirt, three new books, and a cool card. Whatever it takes!}

Playing: As we anxiously await the arrival of our fourth family member, we're also treasuring sweet moments as a family of 3. M is at a really fun age right now. He's full of imagination and big ideas.

Lately, after he hears a new Bible story, he will ask us, "Will you act like a story with me?" Of course he means "act out a story" but how can you say no to that request? With his Cars blanket tied to his head and K or I crouched in the laundry basket, acting scared, he has no problem imagining that he is Jesus walking on the water. "Don't be afraid! It's just me, Jesus!" 

He still loves to sing! Whether it's "Father Abraham," "If You're Happy And You Know It," or a made-up tune about whatever he happens to be doing, he is always filling our home and hearts with his songs.

{Today, I enjoyed a mini-date to a local coffee shop with this sweet boy!} 

Parenting - Sitting through a weekly service here is a real challenge for our M. The services are long, the language is unfamiliar, and he IS only two and a half! I pack my purse with snacks and entertainment, but it's still tough. This week, however, he did great and earned a trip to the arcade at the mall afterward.

{I (B) am probably now "paying for my raising." M can be very neat and particular when it's HIS idea, but when asked to clean up, he is as slow as could be. "There's just so MANY, Mommy!" Lately we've been giving him a time limit to pick up his toys. Whatever he leaves behind goes into a box out of reach (but in his sight!) for a few days.}

Being a parent has taught us so much about God's perspective. Many times, we will catch ourselves saying something out of frustration about M's behavior that our own Father could certainly say about us! 

"I've done everything I know to do to help him obey, and still he won't! Why is he so stubborn?"

"I just don't get it. We've laid it all out for him. We've told him exactly what he needs to do to be rewarded, and he just won't listen."

"Why won't he just OBEY?"

Oh, that we would all think a moment on what we put HIM through when we don't obey the simple commands laid out for us in His Word.