A year and a HALF!!!

First, I wanted to write a little bit about something that has been on my heart. Zeke is at an age where he needs to be disciplined, but it's hard to know the "right" way to do that. I've been reading several books about it, and love a book I'm listening to on CD called, "Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Paul Tripp. The core of the teaching is that we as parents need to give formative Biblical instruction to our children as a part of our daily routine. We can change a child's behavior with discipline, but if we are not getting to the underlying sin in the child's heart, it will not matter, eternally speaking. So...how do you do that with a toddler? Instead of TV, we use music and books.  We feel this is the best way to teach him about the Lord at his age. We listen to hymns and praise music during the day and read Bible stories. We pray together after a spanking. Gregg and I also pray with him every night before he goes to bed. Recently, I bought a couple of scripture CDs for children. It puts verses to music to help young children memorize scripture. I have to admit that I am not very good about memorizing it myself, so I'm excited to learn these verses with Zeke. When he gets older, we will do longer passages together. This was something I did with my students at Perimeter Christian School. We as staff members were required to say the passages for the principal. I still remember all of those verses, and am thankful for that "push" to memorize them. We would greatly appreciate your prayers as we begin this journey in shepherding Zeke's heart toward the Lord, Jesus Christ!

Your word I have hidden in my heart,

That I might not sin against You. (Psalm 119:11)

 

Well, it is official...we have a one and a half year old!  Zeke turned 18 months old last week.  He is walking like a pro, running (a little out of control), and trying to create sentences.  When he talks, it's usually a few gibberish words, then a word that makes sense.  For example: "Bleya bele ba hat."  That's, "I want the hat." 

Here are some of his "Zeke-isms:"

• Says "Uh-oh" a lot (even when it doesn't apply to the situation)
• Loves to say, "Buh-bye" (with a southern drawl, of course)
• Hangs his daddy's baseball caps on all door handles to which he has access
• Wears baseball caps and puts them on us a lot
• Loves to bring us books and sit in our laps as we read to him
• Still can't get enough of his Dadda (especially playing on the couch together)
• Still can't get enough of his Wynna either
• Chases the cats and says, "Key-da" for "kitty cat," although he says that for Browning, our dog, too
• Enjoys puzzles, shapes, and figuring out items that fit together
• Loves climbing on our bed, but he's not allowed to stand up on it, which isn't quite as fun!
• Loves climbing on anything, really
• Every time he sees his lovey, he sucks his thumb
• When he gets caught doing something wrong, he looks down, closes his eyes, and gives sheepish smile.  I think he thinks I can't see him!
• He likes to grab things from the refrigerator door, then run away with his loot (usually a glass bottle...eek!)
• Would play outside all of the time if I'd let him (and it wasn't so hot!)
• Dances and claps his hands (to the beat) when he hears music
• Continues to enjoy playing Peek-a-Boo
• Is a joy to be around and I'm so thankful I get to spend my days with him!

 

Daddy's little mimic

Playing inside the toy box



A hat on the door handle (as mentioned above)

 

Two hats!



Three!



Shoes from cousin Pat!



Look at those legs!

In other news, Zeke will be starting swim lessons through Infant Swimming Resource (http://www.infantswim.org/) next month.  This is an organization that teaches survival skills to babies and young children.  He will learn how to float on his back in the water and swim to the nearest edge.  They call it swim-float-swim.  To "test out" he has to be able to do that in summer and winter clothes.  Once he starts lessons, I'll write a post on how it is going.  I'm a little nervous about it, but I believe it could save his life.

I apologize for the large volume of posts in the past two days!  I think we're caught up now, so look for another post at the beginning of August.  God bless!