8 Months!

8 months old!

7 months old

6 months old

 
 5 months old

4 months old

3 months old

 2 months old

1 month old

2 weeks old

Dear Calvin,

Big man! You are growing like a weed and a pretty charming little fellow. Big news of late includes:


- You graduated from your helmet! Actually, we "graduated you" because there was a nagging sore on the back of your head that just didn't want to heal fully. But I think your head is beautiful, and it's so nice being able to kiss your forehead again.

- You graduated from physical therapy! You now roll both directions, sit up fairly sturdily (albeit you throw yourself backwards regularly still), and are in the normal range for your age. Well, we think you're exceptional ...

- Still not always fabulous at nights, but normally you'll eat in the 1-3am range and then make it til morningish time. I don't really have a strategy for this anymore. I'm bracing myself for hitting 9 months and stopping the middle of the night feedings altogether. Please don't scream for hours, okay?


- You like carrots and sometimes oatmeal cereal. You don't really care for sitting in your booster seat. I normally give you solid food twice a day, but it's still a pretty minor piece of your nutritional intake.

- You have a tooth! Popped through on the bottom a couple days ago.

- Dad popped you in the bounceroo that hangs from a doorway, and you were a fan! Your big brothers continue to entertain you and bring you toys, and when you sleep well you are so charming and cheerful. When you don't sleep well, you are a cranky pants, but that is true of me as well.

- You're wearing 12 month clothes! You look like such a big boy in those outfits. Reminds me how fast time flies.

John 13 was a passage I taught on this week, and it is so rich in truths for us to hang our hats on. Jesus washes His disciples' feet, and Peter revolts at the notion. In response, Jesus says something so important: "If I do not wash you, you have no share with Me." The sovereign glorious King of the universe set aside His glory and came to earth not to offer inspirational counsel or rally us to greater success but to ransom us from our sin.

Isaiah 64:6 puts it like this: “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.” We can’t trade places with Jesus, tell Him to sit back and let us do the scrubbing, because the stain of sin in our hearts does not only taint our worst possible moments—it pollutes even our very most righteous deeds.

Little Calvin, you are a precious child, but nevertheless there lurks already in your heart the brokenness of sin that you are unable to fix on your own. How we pray for you, that you will look to Jesus, our Passover Lamb, the one who laid down His life for His sheep, and find in Him the cleansing we all so desperately need. He has done it all for us, if we will turn to Him and believe.


I love you, little man,
Momma

-

7 Months Old!

7 months old!

6 months old

 
 5 months old

4 months old

3 months old

 2 months old

1 month old

2 weeks old

Dear Calvin,

This month zipped by almost without my noticing! We had a happy whirlwind of Christmas celebrations, travels, and colds as we entered the new year.

Nevertheless, this month was busy for you:

- You are now a traveling roller, which means that you merrily tumble over and over in one direction until you hit a wall or some other obstacle. You are, however, predisposed (compliments of that nagging torticollis) to move only one way, so we're working on becoming an "equal opportunity roller."

- We've muddled through many more nights of 3 hour feedings, but since you currently tip the scales at 20 lb 10 oz, Mom has at last gained internal resolve to let you make it to at least 2am before a midnight snack and then somewhere past 6am for an early morning breakfast. I'm pretty sure that once I can kick this cold, that schedule is going to make me feel really perky.


- You are working in some cereal and baby food peas at mealtimes. Not real frequently (since I still kinda forget that you're in that phase now), but little by little. Wouldn't say it's your favorite thing ever, but we do get some down pretty much every day.

- You have the most delightful grin, and you're normally ready to share it. I love the sweet little dimple at the corner of your mouth.

- You sit to play for a while with cushions behind you (your new gear toy from Grammy and Grandad is a favorite). Still occasionally tip over sideways, but you are getting stronger.

I've been meditating on John 10 lately.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Little son, you are in need of a shepherd. You need saving, not just from the wolves and lions of the enemy, which would seek to steal, kill, and destroy, but from the sin which dwells in your own little heart.

There is only one Good Shepherd, my son. One who would lay down His life for His sheep. He is our precious Savior, our ransom and King.

May you hear, know, and follow Him all the days of your life. And may it become the pursuit of your heart to call to others, other sheep that are not of this fold, so that they too may listen to His voice and join the one flock, with one Shepherd.

I love you, sweet Calvin.
Momma

-

7 Years Old!

 7 years old!

 6 years old

5 years old

4 years old

3 years old

2 years old

18 months

One year old

11 months

10 months

9 months

 
8 months

7 months

6 months

5 months old

4 months old

3 months old

2 months old

1 month old

2 weeks old

Dear Victor,

Happy 7 years old! Our special celebration for your birthday this year included a fun family swim with the Katterson cousins and a big spaghetti and meatball dinner. It was a good time!

And now you are 7 years old—a first-grader, which is a staggering thing to realize!

We're continuing with homeschool work, and this year we started attending Beacon Homeschool Co-op, which has given you a chance to take science, physical education, and an etiquette class already. Even though it's a group of new people for you, you have enjoyed being with others and learning pretty cool things about volcanoes, scooter games, and the proper way to eat soup (among many other things)! At home, we're studying the Pilgrims' time in Amsterdam, learning our weekly Fighter Verses, delving into division, reading some adventure books, along with spelling, handwriting, and sundry other activities.

You blessed my heart greatly when you told me you've decided to read out of your Bible to yourself each morning. Right now you're in 1 Samuel, working your way right through. You are also a big help to read a Bible story to your brothers after lunch while I'm putting Calvin down for his snooze. There is no habit I would rather see established in your life than consistent time with God in the Word and prayer. May He flourish that time into a daily joy that shapes your mind and heart as you grow to know, love, and trust Jesus more.

You've received and been spending lots of fun time playing with Lego sets. Sometimes you experiment with your own creations, but more often you will carefully follow the guidebook to make the whimsical little designs laid out there.

I so appreciate your help most every day to put away the silverware. You are growing and picking up additional responsibilities, and I appreciate your faithfulness to finish a job that you start and your willingness to serve our family in many ways.

You have many opportunities to fill your big brother role among the younger three boys, whether it is helping someone pour milk on their cereal, taking off Elliot's boots, reaching something from a high shelf, singing to Calvin to help him feel happy, or giving wise words, reminding brothers about the instructions Mom has given. We have to remind you sometimes that you aren't the parent, but you certainly do have an important role to influence and set a good example for your brothers!

This year you began in the children's choir, practicing Wednesday nights before Connection and singing before the congregation on a Sunday morning near Christmas. How I am praying that you will grow to love singing to God and joining in worship with the other believers! It's definitely fun having your buddy Ezekiel in choir with you as well.

Your afternoon rest time is normally spent listening to some Boxcar Children mysteries, while you work on your workbooks. You love mysteries and got your own detective kit for Christmas, which has offered lots of fun activities!

A highlight of the (every other) week is small group, where we get to enjoy a meal together and have a long, fun evening playing with some of your very best buddies. I'm praying that those friendships might be lifelong pointers to Jesus among you all!

You're getting so tall, you are learning so much, and you readily put together so many ideas. We love having you as a part of our family!

Right now I am studying John 10, including these precious verses:

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one. (John 10:27-30)

How I pray that you will truly hear and know the voice of Jesus. May you follow His leading—even if others choose to go another way. May you believe in Him and know the very greatest joy of eternal life, secure with your Good Shepherd, the very Son of God.

We love you so much, Mr. Victor!

Mom

Interview with Victor at 7 years old (1.7.19)

1.      What is your favorite color? Red

2.      What is your favorite toy? Legos

3.      What is your favorite fruit? Pear

4.      What is your favorite video to watch? Wild Kratts

5.      What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Grilled cheese or cheese and crackers

6.      What is your favorite thing to wear? everything

7.      What is your favorite game? Uno

8.      What is your favorite snack? Pretzels and cheesy fish

9.      What is your favorite animal? Lions and cats

10.   What is your favorite song? My God Is So Big and Jesus Loves Me

11.   What is your favorite verse? Genesis 1:1 and Joshua 1:9

12.   What is your favorite book? Boxcar Children

13.   Who is your best friend? The Lees

14.   What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play

15.   What is your favorite drink? Lemonade and root beer

16.   What do you like to sleep with at night? Duck

17.   What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Cinnamon rolls

18.   What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Spaghetti and meatballs

19.   What do you want to be when you grow up? A bush clipper and gardener and teacher

20.   What was one of your favorite things that you did this year? Christmas and my birthday

21.   What is your favorite place to go? Grammy and Grandad’s house