For two nights in a row now, Connor has really enjoyed eating salad. At first I thought he was done with his dinner so I cleaned him up and got him down from the table. But then he was really interested in the salad on my plate. He ate a ton of salad and then I decided to video him. The second time was when my parents were over for dinner and he sat with my mom and ate salad.
Michael enjoying his snack.
Michael and his peanut butter and honey on fresh bread.
Second rise.
Split dough between three loaf pans (greased).
After the first rise.
After all ingredients have been mixed.
Connor playing with his trains.
Connor taking a nap. 
Connor's first haircut by daddy.Well, just a few minutes ago Michael Jr. ran down the hallway to use the bathroom. About a minute later he came out without his underwear and pants (pretty common). I told him to go get his underwear and pants and put them on. He said to me "I don't have any underwear" and I marched him back to the bathroom to discover only his pants on the floor. I asked him "where is your underwear?" and he replied by lifting up the toilet seat and pointing. Well, he got a spanking for that one. And he had to call his dad to report what he did. Fortunately, I was able to flush the toilet, so the underwear must have cleared the pipes, but we'll find out later if it gets clogged!
Today I had my ultrasound at the hospital. The boys did really well, I brought the portable DVD player and bought them some donut holes and bagels and set them up and they did great. The appointment lasted an hour and a half.
They are calling the babies 'A' and 'B' for now. The first three pictures are of 'B' and the other four are 'A.' The twins are looking good and are a little over a pound each. They are very active and the technician had a hard time getting some of the pictures. Sorry, we're still keeping the sex as a secret. We both think we saw what each was, but we're not confirming or telling! We still want to be surprised at the birth. We're still having problems with names though, so suggestions are great. Thanks Lela for the girl names on Sunday.
To Train Up A Child by Michael and Debi Pearl
See this link for more info on this book and to purchase:
http://shop.nogreaterjoy.org/product_info.php/products_id/69
Wow. This is a great book, and a quick read! Thanks to Lela for letting me borrow this book! Although I am not quite finished reading it, I am thouroughly impressed with the results that I have seen in the past few days I have been applying the techniques suggested.
How many times have you asked your child to do something, had to count, threaten a spanking or timeout? Have you had temper tantrums? Have you had refusals to do something? Having problems with them going to bed?
Anything you can think of can be corrected! All you have to do is be calm, firm, consistent 100% of the time and you will have a VERY pleasant and loving child who listens to every word you say. Keep in mind you can not show anger or frustration. You must keep calm and not beat, but CORRECT, and TRAIN your child.
There are so many great examples in the book, it is hard to list them without plegarizing the whole book. I have to suggest that this book is probably the most valuable book you could ever purchase in terms of assistance with raising your child(ren) and is only 108 pages long, so a quick read at that. I will purchase my own copy soon, as I am sure Lela doesn't want dog ears and high lights in her copy. I wish that I had come accross this book sooner, but happy that I have gotten the chance to read it BEFORE the twins arrive. It is has already made a big difference.
From the book "To Train Up A Child" by Michael and Debi Pearl
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6)." Train up - not beat up. Train up - not discipline up. Train up - not educate up. Train up - not "positive affirmation" up. Training is most often missed element in child rearing. A child needs more than "obedience training," but without it discipline is insufficient. Parents should not wait until their child's behavior becomes unacceptable before they commence training - which would be discipline. Training is not discipline... Training is the conditioning of the child's mind before the crisis arises. It is preparation for future, instant, unquestioning obedience. page 4
Parent, you can't blame your children if you have trained them to obey only after several warnings, threats, an ultimatum, and finally a gesture of force. It's not their fault. It's yours. page 23
Don't think of the rod as a weapon of defense or a show of force, think of it as a "magic wand." The first time parents see its restorative powers they are amazed. page 45
Training must consider the actions, but discipline should be concerned only with the child's attitude. It is embarrassing to see a parent upset at a child for spilling milk or acting his normal, clumsy self. Judge them as God judges us - by the heart. page 77
Not only have I enjoyed getting out of the house every other Monday night to fellowship with other women, but I have really needed some direction in creating and keeping a stronger relationship with my husband, as this class is focusing on.
In addition to bible scriptures we are following the book:
Created to be his Help Meet
http://shop.nogreaterjoy.org/product_info.php/products_id/84
The last two sessions we have concentrated on submitting to our husbands. Now, that might seem to be contrary to what we consistently hear about women being more independent these days, but submitting actually creates a more pleasant relationship with not only our spouses, but our children as well, because it shows respect towards our husbands and our children follow suit. Also, women can lead their husbands into the wrong direction and cause wrong decisions, if we don't sit back and let the husband lead the way (as seen in Genesis with Eve). This does not mean we can't discuss something with our husbands, but we should leave the decision up to him. This isn't always easy for me, as I am quick to make decisions and like to hold the reigns.
I have to admit that I am not very good in this area and I have to really work on it. My husband will agree, I am a work in progress. This is not to say that a marriage is one-sided, but that a woman supports, respects and listens to her husband in order to create a pleasant atmosphere at home and in public. If the husband feels in anyway disrespected, it could cause an unpleasant tension. Plus, who wants their children to disrespect their father? Non that I could think of, but it could happen unintentionally if the wife doesn't show respect to her husband, as children learn from their parents' actions. To me this is very important. What man wants to come home to a wife and children who don't respect him? Think about it. Do you want your husband to go somewhere else for respect? It should be found first in the home. Respect keeps a marriage strong. Being submissive is being respectful.
Here are some of the scriptures we looked at over these past two sessions:
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
James 1:5
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Ephesians 5:22-24
Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.
1 Timothy 2:11-15
Let a woman quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being quite deceived, fell into transgression. But women shall be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.
1 Corinthians 11:3
But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.
1 Peter 3:1-2
In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.
Michael Jr. is really into 'Cars' so this year his birthday was a 'Cars' theme. I ordered a few supplies and made cupcakes for the party. Michael recieved many wonderful gifts and it was fun to have all of his friends enjoy his special day with him.
Michael and Carly.
Gilian.
Landon.
Connor.
Justus.
Opening presents.Right after Michael Jr's 3rd Birthday party we all got sick with a stomach virus. We were out of commission for more than a week.
Here are some pictures I've taken in the last two weeks - which I've finally loaded onto my computer.
Brotherly Love.
