What a fun weekend!

Well, we had another busy, exciting weekend, and I have LOTS of pictures to prove it! :) First, we went to Jeremiah's first birthday party. Swing-sets are awesome! There were 14 kids there, that I counted. We left early to go to another birthday and missed a few other families that came later. Lots of kids! :)
Eli is serious about sliding down the slide.

Then we drove up to Beaverton for cousins Reid and Lily's 4th birthday party- a Safari celebration! Noah was very interested in his cousins' Guinea pigs. Until one tried to crawl on his legs! :)

All the cousins were there. Rian & Ethan. Ruby, Ried, Lily (and technically Baby Claire was there, just inside Amy's belly). Joshua. And Eli & Noah. Then, on our way back down I5 we stopped in Canby to visit our dear, dear friends, Mr. Joey & Ms. Brea. Eli loves them! And oh my gosh, Joey & Brea are crazy about our kids. It's so sweet to see. If something ever happens (God forbid) to Jonny and I and we kick the bucket before our kids are grown, we are entrusting them into the hands of the Snyders. They are wonderful, wonderful friends!

So.. I accidentally locked the keys in the car. Yeah. Oops. I haven't done that in over a year. That's a long time for me! Anyway, we just hung out, and took lots of pictures. Jonny and Joey tried to use an antenna to push the unlock button in our car. I felt so bad. But they had smiles on their faces as they tried, and tried, and tried to pick the lock. We even had a couple good samaritans stop and try to help us. But nope. In the end, two hours later, a locksmith came to our rescue. Other than the boys being up WAY past their bedtime, it was actually a fun evening. Brea was so happy we got to spend a couple extra hours visiting. ;)
Look at that! It's right on the button! It just wasn't strong enough to unlock it.Meanwhile, Eli was totally entertained by a tennis ball. Noah was, too. Eli was even willing to share.
Oh yeah, so Eli's shorts are a little to big for him. He was pulling them up all day. They finally dropped to his knees when he was running after the tennis ball. It's okay. He knew just what to do. Oops.
Oh, Brea. Thanks for your hospitality. We love you!
Here is our 2009 Mother's Day photo. (This has sorta become a Mother's Day tradition for us.) This morning Jonny made me breakfast, then we went to church where Eli made me a Mother's Day card, then I took a long nap with Eli, then we went out for an early dinner at Los Dos Amigos, and came back home and put the boys to bed early! Phew. What a weekend! Oh, and at dinner the boys gave me emerald earrings and a necklace.

I love that picture. They are my favorite people!

Jonny's interview

Alrighty, time for the interview update. The job he interviewed for is 9th grade physical science, which Jonny is okay with, but it wouldn't be is first choice to teach. Biology is what he loves to teach. In the physical science position, there is some earth science material he'd have to cover that he wouldn't really be that excited about, but he doesn't think it's that big of a deal. He thought he did a good job, but that it really didn't seem very eventful. Jonny said the four people (vice principal and three teachers) interviewing him were all nice. They asked regular questions he knew how to answer. There wasn't any unusually hard questions. Jonny brought examples of some of his power-point slides, so he could show them his teaching style and explain how he discusses various topics. They told Jonny he was the last to be interviewed, so we're thinking we might find out sometime next week. We don't know how many other people were interviewed, but Jonny thought maybe four or five.

We shall wait and see what happens. The Lord knows, and we just want to be right smack-dab in the center of His will. :)

I just thought I'd add a little cuteness to this post! :)

Humbled

"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." -
I Corinthians 10:12 Don't you just love it when your kids humble you? Or maybe not.

Eli has never been a big fit thrower. He may have got upset, cried, then after being quickly comforted, the issue was over. I started thinking, oh, my kid doesn't throw these huge melt-down temper-tantrum fits. I was definitely aware of some other disobedient 'issues' he struggled with, but I was a little proud that he didn't throw these monster fits you often see other kids throwing. Well, guess what? Almost down to the day, at 2 1/2 Eli started up with the fits. Lovely! Oh, my. I can now totally empathize with all the other moms who are dealing with the fit throwing. Some of his fits are completely derived from defiance and rebellion, so those are pretty difficult. But the situations where I feel so badly for Eli are when he throws a fit as an emotional outlet. He'll be so upset over something, and try to start using his words, get frustrated, and then it all falls apart. I feel so bad for him. Then because the fit throwing is not okay, I have to put him in his room which makes him even more upset. Usually, though, he is easily comforted. That, I am thankful for. It's the talking afterward and getting him to say he's sorry that can be a challenge.

One of yesterday's fits is a perfect example of how silly and unreasonable these fits can be. He had a bugger on his finger and I wiped it off. He flipped out because I took his bugger away. He threw himself on the floor screaming, crying, and kicking his legs, "I want my bugger!" After some time in his room and a little 'counseling session' he calmed down, and let out in a little weepy voice, "That was my bugger."

Yesterday afternoon, as a friend was leaving, Eli wanted to go outside to watch her drive away. I said no because it was cold and wet outside, and all he was wearing was his undies and a shirt. I could tell he was about to protest. Since he had thrown several other fits during the day, I knew his appeal would result in a screaming heap of Eli on the floor. I wanted to spare Eli the rage of emotion and spare our guest the not-so-pretty scene, so I showed Eli some grace. "Okay, Eli, I'm going to give you grace & let you ride your bike outside for five minutes." He, of course, was so happy and compliant while we were outside. Our friend even stayed longer to cheer Eli on as he rode up and down the sidewalk. Right before we were about to head inside, I said, "Okay, Eli, we're going to go inside now. You may ride up to the neighbor's driveway and back one more time." Off he went. Right past the neighbor's driveway. (He's allowed to go back and forth between the neighbor's driveway on either side of our house. He had been compliant the whole time.) Jonny and I both called out for him to stop and turn around. He kept going- right past our neighbor's neighbor's driveway, and around the corner down the next block. Jonny chased after him. Of course the whole episode ended in another fit.

I was telling Jonny later last night, how hard it is to see that. I hate seeing him make bad choices that are going to result in bad consequences. Especially when he was out there on account of grace! Instead of being thankful he was selfish and disobedient. It made me think that that is how the Lord must feel when he watches us mess up. He must be thinking the same thing I was thinking as I watch Eli ride off around the corner of our block... Oh, no. No, sweetie. No. Don't do that. It's just going to cause you pain. It's good for you to do what is right. Parenting is definitely humbling. One thing I can say I am learning from this journey is that it paints a picture of how I am with the Lord. Do I throw fits about things not going my way? Am I totally unreasonable? Am I trusting Him because He knows best and has the best in mind for me? Am I obeying His word? Oh, boy!

Well, I hope this post doesn't seem as though I am celebrating one child and shaming the other. We are so in love with our Eli and that is why it is so hard to see him struggle. He also had lots of wonderful moments yesterday where we had lots of fun. Okay, that said... Look at Noah!!!

Hold the Phone!

I keep using these silly sayings, and I don't really know what they mean or if I'm using them in the right context. .... anyway.... So of course the day after I update everyone that Jonny hasn't heard from Wyoming- we get a call! Minutes before I'm about to head back to my cozy bed and quietly cuddle up next to Eli for a little nap, our cell phone rings with an incoming call from Wyoming! It was the Vice Principal at Dean Morgan Middle School in Casper asking to speak to Jonathan Oelkers. In the few minutes I talked to him, he sounded like a very nice guy and also interested in Jonny. I immediately made a few of my own phone calls, (Jonny, Mom, Becky, Lindsey, Patty & Julia, Grace, etc ... you know how it goes) My mom was pretty funny. She said, "Did you say, Jonathan who? I don't know who you're talking about!" Oh, Mom..... They guy (Larry) gave me his cell number to pass along to Jonny, Jonny called him, and now Jonny has a skype interview scheduled for Friday. Okay, so stand by for more updates...

Oh, and by the way... Monday Jonny found out that his job will not be cut, but also that he gets to continue teaching what he's been teaching. (He doesn't have to prepare curriculum for classes he's never taught!) Then, today he found out that they might actually be moving him from the middle school to the high school to continue teaching 10th grade bio, and maybe a little bit of 9th grade science. This is what he's wanted. It would be awesome! So... It's up to You, Lord!

What's going on with Wyoming

Oh, goodness! I got so nervous this afternoon when I called Jonny at 3:10, and his phone was busy. I didn't get nervous then, but when I tried back after 10 minutes, and then another 10 minutes after that, and it was still busy. My mind automatically thought, "Oh my goodness! He's having a phone interview with Natrona County School District in Casper, Wy.!" For over an hour, every time I tried his phone it was busy. I called Lindsey & my mom, "Oh my gosh!... What if...." While on the phone with Lindsey, Jonny walked in the front door. Yeah, turns out the phones at Cascade are down- hence the busy signal. Oh gosh! How embarrassing. I totally panicked!

So to update... Jonny has not heard anything from Wyoming.

I like the Proverb, "A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps." It is good to know that God has our future all planned out, and we don't have to worry about making decisions. We can just trust that He directs our steps to follow His will and see us through the good and the bad, the easy and the difficult.

In other news, Mr. Noah is up to eight steps! He still prefers to crawl, but he's been a little more brave. He thinks its so funny. He takes a couple steps, starts laughing and then falls over. :) 11 months tomorrow, can you believe it!?

Sunday

Today was Noah's baby dedication. I put up the video so our dear friends & family could be apart of it. Baby dedications, although short & sweet, are so meaningful to me. We have been lifting both our boys up the Lord since they were in the womb, so the dedication for us is really a public commitment that we are making in front of our church body to raise Noah in the Lord. We are committing to instruct Noah in the ways of the Lord, read to/with him, pray both with him & for him, be a living example, and discipline him the way the Lord disciplines us. Obviously, the discipline part changes over time, but the prayer, open communication, bible studies, & being a living example is forever. Similar to a wedding celebration in that we're making a serious lifetime commitment in front of our friends & family- we're committing to raise our children in the Lord. It is our responsibility & we take it so seriously. Our church sees it as a 'family dedication' because the whole family unit needs the Lord's strength & wisdom to carry out our responsibilities. (I know I can't be a good godly mommy without God's strength- that's for sure!)

After church we had five friends from college over to visit & had a great time. Eli, who loves to have visitors, enjoyed them as well.

Women's Retreat

It's so funny how things are different with the second child. I didn't spend a single night away from Eli until I was in the hospital having Noah, but I had no problem leaving 11 month old Noah overnight for the women's retreat at our church Friday & Saturday. :)

The retreat was so fun. I was so blessed. I absolutely love the women of Calvary Corvallis. I love Christ in them. I am so encouraged & edified by these amazing, godly women. Maybe I was being a little overly sensitive about the whole thing, but I was trying to soak up every minute & every precious face.... thinking this may be my last retreat with these ladies. I volunteered to help with registration & checking people in so I could see & talk to as many women as I could. Because I was at the registration table until dinner started, I sat at an end table with some other women who were helping. As women were getting their dinner, I noticed all the women from my home fellowship getting up from a table across the room. I was so moved. Seeing that group of women breaking bread & fellowshipping together made me so thankful for the church family the Lord has given us here. I told a friend of mine sitting next to me, "Look, there's the ladies from my home group." I was so proud. Proud to know them. Proud to love them. Proud to be a part of their home fellowship. Later, during worship, I opened my eyes & looked around at all the beautiful, wonderful women praising God together, with one voice. It was awesome. I am so thankful to know these ladies.

Another thing I was realized was that when I looked around at the 150 or so women who were there, I knew probably at least two women at every table. It's such a testament of what Cindy, our church secretary & women's ministry leader, (also Rory's mom) always says about when we're being real with one another, sharing our life with one another, praying with one another- it knits our hearts together & we actually get to know one another. Our church is pretty big- about 1,200 people, but I don't at all feel isolated or lost in a sea of people. Its so good to get involved & to be plugged in to a ministry-- whether it's a women's ministry, home fellowship, children's ministry, hospitality ministry, youth ministry... whatever it is... getting involved has allowed us to get to know people & develop deep, rich relationships. So cool!

Okay, I can't write about the retreat & not mention the speaker. I love hearing testimonies of the Lord's mighty hand moving, shaping, molding, restoring, & SAVING people. After dinner, Sherri shared what God is doing with them right now. This incredible women has an incredible story, but right now she & her husband are preparing to move to Brazil (where our church has planted several other Calvary's) to be missionaries. Over a series of events, the Lord has made it abundantly clear that He wants them there. It was such a cool story. It is so, so, so encouraging for me to hear stories of people sold out for the Lord & putting Him before everything else. Sherri & her husband are 50. They sold their beautiful home & 30 years worth of stuff, they're leaving their children, grandchildren & everything they know to obey His call on their life. She said, "Yeah, I'm scared, but I'm more scared of not obeying Him & missing out on what He has for us there." Crazy? Why? What for? Yeah, that's how the world would respond. Amen- Is what I say. Wow! "A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps." -Prvb. 16:9

When I came home, Jonny was in our bedroom with the boys, but Eli heard me come in. I could hear him shout, "Mama's home!" He raced down the hallway, stopped when he saw me & said, "Mama!!!" Then he gave me a huge hug & said, "I missed you." Then Noah came crawling down the hallway, & also stopped when he saw me. He reached out his arms to me, so I picked him up & held him for the next hour. It was a perfect way to end my little get-away. Later, when I laid down to take a nap with Eli, he gave me another big squeeze & said, "I love you, Mama." I told him I loved him too & he confidently replied, "Yes. I know you do." :) It's so wonderful to feel my precious little boys love me. Oh, its the best! Oh, & of course Jonny was excited to have me home too. I asked him if he missed me & he said, "Yeah, I missed you taking care of the boys." haha ... it's hard work, huh? Yeah, yeah, I know he really missed me.