OLYMPICS

So my boys are born athletes. We aren't sure where this came from as Bill and I really don't have an atheletic bone in our bodies. Bill ran track in High School and I played volleyball but neither of us could be described as athletes. 
Watching the Olympics both of my boys are 100% sure that they could win every sport and even run to the TV to try and mimic the events on TV.
For some odd reason Isaac thinks this camo ear cover make him and Olympic athlete. I kinda hope he never loses the confidence he has at 3.

Privileged

Today is one of those days that I am overwhelmed at what God has given me in my tiny family of four.

Almost 4 years ago I started this blog mainly to keep my family updated on our first child. I can't say I've been a wonderful blogger but like everything else, life happens. I titled this blog the Ford Family Adventures not knowing exactly what this adventure would be and where He would take us. I still have no idea but I'm along for the ride and for today I am completely happy not being in charge.

Today though, I can't get my mind off the treasure that God has given me in my two precious boys.

Any parent, no matter how long you've been a parent, knows it's very hard to be a parent. Often I wonder if God knew what He was doing giving us two very energetic boys 16 months apart. Hello, we're 30 and 34. But of course He knew what He was doing. He always does. Our boys push our limits, frustrate us and got the worst part of both their parents, their stubbornness. Bill and I are both extremely stubborn and the boys got the best of it.

Then there are nights like last night and dinner times like today. Good days. No, amazing days. We often wonder if we are parenting the boys the way God wants us to. Are we training them in Godly ways and not letting our personal flaws and opinions get in the way of them knowing God. Obviously we talk about God very freely in our home. He is a topic of many conversations throughout our time together. But you never know what your kids pick up on. What do they really hear and remember.

Each night since Isaac's first birthday we pray and read the Bible together before bed. Once Noah was on the same schedule he naturally became a part of this routine. Isaac loves to read his Bible. I can only think of a handful of nights in the last 2.5 years that we've missed. He wants to read his Bible often. Noah listens and sits quietly yet doesn't actively participate. He is just 2.

Noah's just beginning to pray. Our philosophy is that you have to start somewhere so we have him thank Jesus for his day. Isaac fills in all the things he's thankful for and often tells Jesus He is sorry for something he's done that he shouldn't have done. For the first time last night we started to pray. Noah started filling in the prayer with real things that he was thankful for. Mommy, Daddy and Isaac. I almost cried. At 2, he's starting to get it. He's learning what it's like to talk to God. What we are trying to model is working.

Then there's Isaac with his most tender little heart. Always worried about everyone and wants to pray for people who are sick or upset. He wants everybody to be okay. Today he has been focused on prayer. He took time at dinner to pray for everyone at the table. Individually he said prayers for everyone. Not just "thank you for _________" prayers. Specific prayers for each person. Specifically thanking God for things about that person, asking God to make them better or something that He felt he needed to talk to God about.

It was amazing to hear this little 3 year old talk to God in his own little way. All I can think about tonight is what a great responsibility it is to raise these boys. Bill reminded me this weekend that God gave the boys the parents that they needed. Even when we fail as we often do. He's right; God gave the boys to us because He trusted us. That doesn't mean we don't have to be the best we can be, but God gave these boys what they needed.

My prayer is that we continue to show the boys who God is and that His love is always unconditional. His love is far better than ours could ever be. I pray that they find and fall madly in love with Him more than their parents could. I pray they are more faithful to Him than their parents were.

What a great responsibility, yet an amazing reward for all of us to enjoy.

God, use our boys. Show them who you are every day. Please help them to fall madly and passionately in love with you.

Time is the enemy

How often I say that time is passing too quickly. We're already more than a week into July. Weren't we just celebrating Noah's birthday the other day? Wait that was close to two months ago now.
So I'm sure you are chomping at the bit to know exactly what'l exciting things have been happening in the Ford household. Mainly the pool, trying to stay cool in this third straight week of 100 degree plus temperatures and trying to stay well.
I took some vacation on May to celebrate Nana and Poppy's visit and got a good start on my tan. It's a good thing I did.
We spent lots of time at the pool and the water park. Then the heat hit. We've been trying to get out but you know it's too hot when you can't even go to the pool. I took off the last week of June as well. It's a good thing I did as I got Pneumonia my second day of vacation. If you know me I don't like to be down. That was the hardest thing for me when I had the boys. The pain wasn't bad it was the no lifting, driving, and taking it easy part. I don't do well with that.
This time though I haven't had a choice. Between the medicine and infection sleeping is not avoidable. After almost two weeks I'm finally starting to feel better. A nice deep breath without coughing would nice but breathing without pain is good.
The boys have gone a little stir crazy. Bill took them to the office the other day and Isaac had to tell me it was way to hot to be outside. They need to get some of their energy out. We've been having them run races and do exercises inside. They this it's so much fun! We did a painting project and they loved that. Mommy needed some time to bounce back after that mess ;)
Isaac thinks he's 3 going on 6. He's been telling people he's 6 lately. This boy has an amazing imagination. Today he told me that I didn't want him to be afraid of the dark and if I bought him this pillow pet he could see then he wouldn't be afraid of the dark. He is already the constant negotiator at our house. His favorite things are riding bikes (even though he hasn't quite got peddling down) swimming and of course baseball. They told me in church this morning that how prayer request was that he could one day play for the Boston Red Sox. Most kids prayed for their parents or sibilings. Not my boy. He has big dreams and already knows God can do anything.
For my birthday Isaac gave me his bug. His most prized possession is his bug, his blanket. I asked him if he would take care of it for me and he agreed. Such a tender little heart.
Noah in the other hand is growing by leaps and bounds. It's like a switch flipped on his second birthday. He carries on conversation and makes the funniest faces. He already knows what he likes and only wants to do what he wants to do. He is one of the most polite little boys. Always says "welcome ma." His own version of thank you. Always says please and I love you. Such good manners. He wants to copy everything.g his big brother does so we've been having lots of conversations lately about Isaac being a good example. He's scared of everything lately but we are hoping this is just a phase. Trains are his favorite toy and he loves to watch the "big ones" as he says when we go to the store. He's very disappointed when there's no train.

No doubt about it these boys keep us on our toes and make us sleep.good at night, but I am so thankful.for their love. These two boys light up my life.