...We are amazed.

In an effort to ward off bad behavior and encourage the good, I've made various "behavioral charts" for Jayden and Zachary. One of them is called a "Heart Chart" which was inspired by a Bible Study I did last fall by Beth Moore on the Fruit of the Spirit. Every time Jayden did something that displayed one aspect of the Fruit she received a heart and I'd have her repeat, and eventually recite, Galatians 5:22-23.

Sometime ago God drove home in my own heart that it was His word changing Jayden's behavior and not the chart activity itself. So I really began praying that God would inspire me to create a way that Jayden (and eventually Zachary) could absorb scriptures. As Christian parents we are commanded in Deuteronomy 11:18-20 to

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates".

And in Proverbs 7:1,3 God says that we are to

"keep my words and store up my commands within you. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart."

So seven weeks ago I had the inspiration to make a "verse chart" to help us memorize a new scripture each week (we took 1 week off for vacation). It seemed obvious to start in the beginning and then navigate our way through every book of the Bible. We are just finishing Joshua 1:9 and I will be selecting a verse from Judges for Monday.

We are absolutely astounded and amazed at how quickly Jayden memorizes each verse and how she can recall all of the old ones. She looks forward to practicing and will often say "lets go do my verse now." Zachary loves to put the star on the chart and I believe he is absorbing the words as well.
My encouragement to all you parents reading this is to not underestimate your child's ability to take in, grasp and be changed by scripture nor to underestimate God's command for us to be feeding His Word to our kids and babies. I hope you will pray and allow the Holy Spirit to inspire you with a creative way to be doing something like this in your own home.

...Independance Weekend was a blast- cont.

On July 4th Marty's parents and godparents arrived and we lit up the barbecue and stayed cool under our newly installed misting system. Stella brought a ton of gifts for the kids and after hours of playing in the kiddie pool they were ready for bed. Then we set up the lawn chairs in the back of the yard and watched the much anticipated annual illegal fire-works spectacular put on by the crazy folks in the neighborhood below us. You never know when and where the bursts of color will appear and when the cops will roll through the streets trying to find the perps.

The next morning we loaded up the BOB and walked the leisurely mile and a half to Starbucks for breakfast sandwiches and coffee. Later that day Marty made some sandwiches and we headed to the Regan Library for a picnic and to see the Air Force One display.

....Independance weekend was a blast!

It all started with a two mile walk from the Dewey's house to Arroyo Vista Park for the annual Moorpark 4th on the 3rd celebration. Hundreds of families began gathering on their blankets and lawn chairs in the early afternoon and by 5:00 the live bands were rocking out and the carnival activities had begun. Jayden had her first face painting experience, Zach ate 3 whole pieces of pizza, and we bumped into many old friends. And although we didn't last till the 9:00 fireworks show, it was an incredible memory-making kind of day and we will be adding it to our holiday tradition repertoire.

...Jayden went to VBS.

The theme for this years Vacation Bible School was Jesus is a Blast, but it might as well have been called Jayden had a Blast! She and her friend Abby Jane were the only 2 year olds in the bunch (they were called "Squeaky Beakers") so they received undivided attention from their leader, Jordyn, who is also one of our favorite babysitters. Jayden learned the motions to all the songs on the accompanying CD and her all time fav is "Never Let Go", a contemporary worship song. A month has almost past and she is still talking about all the fun she had there...can't wait till next year!

...we love our cousins!

Marty's sister, brother in law, and their 2 kids, Ilana and Blake, live in Solana Beach just yards from Santa Fe Christian Schools where I attended kindergarten through 12th grade.

A couple weeks ago we treked down to there to celebrate Ilana's and Blake's Birthdays. It was a gorgeous summer day for BBQ'ing, blowing bubbles, walking to the park, jumping on the trampoline and hanging out with Marty's family.
Uncle Tommy and ZacharyGrandpa, Zachary and Marty