Morning Glories

I have begun to teach Malachi some Scripture verses, catechism questions, and songs using a great tool called the Truth and Grace Memory books. I didn't really think he'd be ready this soon, even though the book begins with ages 2 and 3. However, when he began to quote lines from the books we read him (over and over), I realized that he really enjoys learning to quote things he hears.

So, I've embarked on this journey of training my children in the Word of God - and it is a lot of fun!

So the first thing, of course, was Genesis 1:1
Malachi's version: "In the beginning, God created, the heavens and the eluf!"

Then John 1:1 and John 3:16. I simply quote the verses to him throughout the day - and he usually loves it (except when he's in a bad mood and nothing pleases him!). He usually says "Gi-en" (again) at the end so I end up saying the same one over and over. The verses are very helpful in getting him into a better mood and taking his mind off of whatever is bothering him.

Not only are we learning verses, but we are also learning a question and answer style instruction called "catechism". Commonly associated with Catholocism, catechism was used in the early church, went on the way-side during the middle ages, and was revived by Martin Luther in the Reformation.

Here are the questions we've been working on.

#1
Mom: "Malachi, who made you?"
Malachi: "God made Dylan! [his favorite answer]... God made Daniel.... God made Norah... etc., etc..."
(Proper answer: "God made me." He just now is beginning to say, "God made Malachi!" We're getting there!)

#2
Mom: "What else did God make?"
Malachi: "God made all things!"
(He got this one very quickly!)

#3
Mom: "Why did God make you and all things?"
Malachi: "For his morning glories!"
(Proper answer: "For his own glory." Malachi got a bit confused on this one because one of his new favorite books talks about morning glories. I love my job as a mommy!)

"Peepee toy-get!"

It's been a week since Granny Sheila came and helped us begin potty training Malachi - for real this time! He's been a whole week with using diapers only at nap time. To tell me he has to go, he says, "Peepee toy-get." It is so cute!

While we're at home, I just put a shirt on him and let him go without underwear. That way I don't have to help him get his pants off every time he needs to go; my hands have been a little full with Morgan! I thing not having underwear on helps him remember to go to the potty when he has to pee, too.

We went to a movie, a restaurant, to church (they had a potty chair there), to the grocery store, and to Grandma Adams's house (we took our potty chair there) all at different times, and we haven't had an acceident yet! We have had a few accidents at home, though, of course. What a big boy!

The above picture is when he first got his potty chair back in March (it was given to us by one of Travis's co-workers).

Getting Back into Our Groove

Well, we are back home! The routines have definately changed. We are enjoying our new snuggly boy. Malachi likes him... usually. He does NOT like sharing my lap!

Today was Travis's first day back at work, and the boys and I survived! Morgan does well sitting in his vibrating bouncy seat while I shower. I think he likes the sound of the water - Malachi was the same way! Everything went pretty smoothly. Thank you, Lord!

Here are some pictures of our first week with the new baby.

This little crib was bought second-hand by my great-grandma Dea (Morgan's great-great grandma!). She used it for her children, and it's been used by each following generation. I use it all day long!

Malachi had a new fetish - socks on the hands. I really need to get him some mittens so he stops stretching out the baby's socks!

He likes gloves, too!

He helped his daddy clean out the garage. He needed help off the step ladder.

Results...

We didn't quite have the expected results with the two large endeavors I wrote about in my last post. BUT I learned a lot!

Malachi wasn't quite ready for the potty chair. He wasn't about to use it to go poo! But he looks really cute in his new underwear! And he asked several times to go potty so we are making progress.

"All done!"

And as far as my sewing project... well just look at the pictures. They speak for themselves. :/

This was the first time I've used a sewing machine since 7th grade! And I think I learned a lot from working on this, and I know I can do much better next time. At least I'm not mean enough to make him wear these in public! Thanks for all your help Grandma Vickie -they would have been REALLY scarry looking without your guidance!

Potty Training and Sewing Projects

Well, I am expecting to receive my camera's battery charger in the mail any day, but until then, I wanted to post a little update.

We've begun to potty train Malachi! I can't wait to go buy those cute little boy underwear! He's peepeed in the potty chair several times the last few days, and today I decided to keep his diaper off (except when we take a quick jaunt to the store!).


We had 2 accidents already this a.m. One was really my fault. He had this very concerned look on his face and he was whimpering and acting really funny. I didn't know what the problem was, until I saw the little pile he'd just dropped on the floor...


So, from this I at least know that he's not comfortable just pooping without a diaper on! As soon as I see that concerned face again, we'll make a run for the bathroom! Live and learn.



Grandma Vickie is coming over to day and will stay all night. I have a few sewing projects that I need help with (I got a sewing machine for my bridal shower, and the only one who has ever used it is Travis!!!). I have to hem some curtains and some maternity pants.

Also, I saw these adorable little boy overalls in a Pottery Barn catalogue - $65 for an outfit a child will wear for 3 months? Yeah, right.


So, we found a similar pattern that will just need a little bit of tweeking, and some cute fabric that was on sale. And I will post the results when they're done (I'm hoping to make 2 pair - one for him now, and one the next size up).

Don't Make Me Count to Three! - A Book Review

I found this book extrememly helpful and easy to read. It is based on the philosophy laid out by Tedd Tripp in Shepherding a Child's Heart but is much easier to read and better written over all.

The basic jist is that focusing on a child's outward behavior will not solve the deeper issue of sin in their hearts. It is very possible for a child to behave correctly and inwardly be in rebellion. Christ taught that God is not merely concerned with actions, but with the heart.

For example, in the Sermon on the Mount, He speaks of the well-known command "Do not murder". But He takes it a step further and tells us not only are murderers deserving of judgment, but also those who angry with someone else. Again, He addresses the command "Do not commit adultry", and He raises the bar, saying we are not only to avoid physical unfaithfulness, but also unfaithfulness in the heart in the form of lust (Matt. 5:21 ff).

So with our children, it is not enough to have mere outward obedience. Children are told not only to obey but to honor their parents in Ephesians 6. This entails both the outward action and the inward attitude.

Ginger Plowman gives excellent advice on how to teach our children to examine their hearts and see why they are acting inappropriately. For example, let's look at tattle-taling.

Johnnie tattles on Susie who just took a cookie without asking. Both kids are sinning. So Mom asks Johnnie, "Why are you telling on your sister? Do you want to see her get into trouble? Is that how we treat others?" Johnnie then can see that, yes, he was being hateful, and the issue can be resolved from the heart of the matter.
Otherwise, Mom might just say, "Johnnie, don't be a tattle-tale," and by some miracle, he may not tattle again, but he will never be taught to face his hateful selfishness. Certainly he will want to tattle again, but he was never taught that it is wrong to have this attitude.

Susie's issue is more along the lines of greed and disobedience (assuming she's been told not to get into the cookie jar), and so her problem would be addressed not simply from the fact that she took a cookie, but that it was disobedient and greedy for her to do so.

Correcting children in this way gives opportunity to show them their need for Christ. A child may go through life thinking they are pretty good and not realizing that God's standard is extremely high - higher than they could ever reach. When a child learns that God is displeased with wrong thoughts as much as He is displeased with wrong actions, they will realize how impossible it is for them to live in a way that is totally pleasing to Him. They will see their need for a Mediator, for a Savior. They will see the preciousness of what Christ did for them in providing a way for their sin to be wiped away and for Christ's perfect life to be presented before God on their own behalf.

The author of the book does a much better job at explaining all of this. The book is very well thought out and practical. She emphasises the importance of acknowledging that you are requiring obedience and right attitudes not just because it's convenient (it really takes a lot of work to teach and train kids consistently!) or it's your preference, but because God requires parents to teach their children this way (Eph. 6:4; Prov. 22:6, 15).

Other books and resources on child training I have found helpful:

• Shepherding a Child's Heart, Tedd Tripp
• Withhold Not Correction, Bruce A. Ray
• Under Loving Command: Children-Fun or Frenzy, Pat Fabrizio (a booklet, for a copy contact: books@dime.org)
• Train Up A Child, Michael Pearl
• Raising Teens in the Media Culture: Parts 1, 2, and 3, audio by Albert Mohler (http://www.albertmohler.com/audio_archive.php, listed by date: 1-08-2006, 1-15-2006 and 1-22-2006)
• Child Training, audio by Voddie Baucham (http://defendingcontending.com/2009/02/11/sermon-of-the-week-child-training-by-voddie-baucham/)