Random Firsts....Fun memories

It's so funny how even the little things are so exciting when you have a little one. I now get so excited every time a bird flies or a plane can be spotted....because Ryan LOVES those things. I love it when Ryan is having fun outside or just being silly with Layla. Joy is something that I get to experience daily just by experiencing life with Ryan. Here are some random fun things we've done, and some firsts for Ryan.

First time eating real ice cream: He was so funny...when I wasn't looking, he went head first into the ice cream cup...he's like his momma...likes chocolate! :)

yummy!

First time 'climbing' a tree...well...with help from Dad...but he really wanted to try it himself. :) 

Let me do it Dad.... ;) 

And then here are just some pics from playing out at Sea Port village...we love that place! 

He loves trying to chase the birds 

And, just because these are some of my favorite moments....reading together. I have always loved books, and so far, it seems like this will be something we all will enjoy as a family. I love our reading time together and look forward to reading many books together. 

This is where Layla usually lies while we read...she's so funny..wants to be a part of everything. 

Each day is a gift...that's why it is called 'the present." Praising Jesus for each gift.

Thoughts and Frustrations

My mind has been whirling lately. I have so many thoughts about what is going on in this world and how to react as someone who loves and desires to follow Jesus with my being. I have been very frustrated with Christians and how there are so many things that are happening that don't seem glorifying to God and I don't understand why people do some things. So, please...these are just thoughts, ponderings, and frustrations. I am in no way a bible scholar or claim to have all the answers...but have convictions and challenges, and need to get them out.

The first thing is how frustrated I have been over the whole Rob Bell thing and his new book. It is just crazy to me the amount of media and bashings that have gone on because of a book, that a man who I hope and would say loves Jesus, writes about how in the end LOVE WINS. I am not going to get into the specifics, but I have been amazed at how many people are condemning Rob Bell and terming him an "universalist," and so on. My frustration is that WHO ARE WE??? as Christians to judge a man's heart or even beliefs. I fully believe that we, as humans, have many roles on earth, but judging others is NOT one of them.

Romans 14:10-13a says:

"You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgement seat. It is written; 'As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' So then, each of us will give an account to God. Therefore LET US STOP PASSING JUDGEMENT ON ONE ANOTHER."

When it comes down to it....there really isn't any possible way for us to know a person's heart...that role is specifically for God, and we shouldn't try to take it from Him.  I think that we can have hope and faith that those who say they love Jesus truly do, and yes, we see fruit (good things) from those who follow Jesus, but we cannot say for fact that someone is or is not a Christian, or especially say that they are for sure going to heaven or for sure going to hell.

Now...here's my thought: Yes, we have hope and that is a good hope from Christ: which is where our hope is found. But...judgement and condemnation is for God alone. And...this brings me to the sad fact that there are people who condemn others or say that they can't be Christians because they think differently than them.

How about this: homosexuality. Who are we to judge someone. I don't think that we are to accept every action in the world...but I do think that we are called to love those who are in this world with us. God has created EVERYONE...not just your friends or people who think like you do. God put time and effort into each life, and even though choices are made by different people, I truly do not think that it is our place to put labels or  categorize people into who is going to heaven or who is going to hell. Yes, I believe that there is a heaven and a hell and my hope is that there will be more going to heaven, but again..who am I or who are we to say who is going where. And...I don't believe that God wants anyone to go to hell either.

"He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9)

So many verses about how love is the ultimate goal in this life, but here's one:

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8)

So, instead of all of this energy fighting with each other about whose going where, let's take the gift of life that we have been given and love those who God calls us to love, especially those who are hardest to love. And, please, let's stop passing judgement on others: it is not our role. It's good to check our hearts and see where our true motives are.

There are so many things that we need to follow Jesus' example by: and loving is one of the greatest and can be most difficult. As Christians in America, I feel we need to challenge ourselves to be more like Jesus. How about this: I like President Obama. uh oh...some would say now I am not a Christian. That to me is sad. I do not like everything he does, but there is a lot that I do like about him. I LOVE that he supports the less fortunate. Those who have not had a an easy life. We need to look beyond ourselves and challenge ourselves to learn what it means to love like Jesus, because I do believe in the end...LOVE  WINS.

13 months!

Well...Ryan is technically 13 and a half months...but to say 14 months sounds crazy, so I'm sticking to 13 months for now. I cannot say it enough: each stage soon becomes 'the best.' I am LOVING my busy little man right now and all of his little antics. He is now officially a walker...and he is one proud walker at that! As he walks up and down our hallway, he claps for himself and is all smiles. He is getting better and turning he can walk from one side of our house to the other. He is working on figuring out how to get up from a sitting position, but he usually pulls himself up on something and then goes! :) I know this pic is a bit fuzzy, but this kind of captures his expression when walking:

We have also had quite a few adventures outside lately. The weather has been absolutely gorgeous, and so we get out as much as we can. Our favorites are going to Sea Port Village, walking around and playing on the grass. Ryan LOVES exploring, and this is him just taking a look around. I am definitely in the 'chasing after' stage. :) 

We also have been having a lot of 'zoo' days. For Ryan's birthday, his Grandpa and Grandma Ekk bought us San Diego Zoo passes. We are definitely getting some great use out of them! Ryan loves the petting zoo and lights up when he sees the animals. Also, it is a great 'outing' for us, especially because it doesn't cost us a cent. We have already been 5 times and still see new things...it's a great place, and we love it! 

Some other things that are so fun right now: He still LOVES books. He loves to sit and flip through them and now he brings them to me, sits on my lap and we read. He points to birds and balls in the books, and loves the purple cat from the book "Brown Bear, Brown Bear." I it when he is curled up with me and we explore the wonder of words and pictures together. It makes my heart melt. 

Reading his Bible :) 

Ryan also loves stuffed animals: and he especially loves Umbrella (Jason's bear from when he was little)  and Lady Bug pillow pet from his sweet Oma. He hugs them, and loves to give kisses. It's so sweet. Here's Ryan giving Umbrella a hug. 

Here are some other fun things about him right now: 

-He is also becoming very vocal. He tries to say a lot of words that we do. He still calls a lot of things 'ba'...but I am learning a lot of his body language and what he is trying to tell me. He signs 'all done' and 'more', and we are working on please and thank you. :) 

He loves to be outside and now points at birds and airplanes. There are times when he sits at the window and waits for birds to come by, and he always makes sure I know they are there. 

-He LOVES to eat...sometimes I feel he eats all day. He loves fruits, cheese, most veggies, fish, and fish crackers. He also FINALLY fully drinks from a straw sippy himself. :) We have introduced milk, but he's not a fan so far. 

-Still nursing, but now only about 3 times a day: morning, nap and bedtime. 

-Still loves playing with and chasing Layla. 

-Is becoming more friendly with strangers. 

Love this sweet boy. Thankful for the gift that God has given us, praying that we will have to the wisdom to train him in the ways of the Lord. Loving the journey. 

What's For Dinner? :)

I love this stage that Ryan is at right now: I love his personality: he's so sweet and joyful. He makes us laugh and loves to explore. I love watching him learn to walk and how proud of himself that he gets. Another one of my favorites is watching him eat. My little man is a BIG eater....and I have so much fun thinking and creating of nutritious meals for him. He is a good eater, and for the most part, eats everything that I give him (minus peas). :) This week I made spinach and cheese manicotti....he loved it! He loves most pasta dishes and especially when I have red sauce with them, also he loves cheese...which that was one of main things that I craved during pregnancy, so I'm not surprised. :) I just have to share some pics of him enjoying his manicotti.

 And here is what he had for dinner tonight: eggs with carrots, spinach and cheese. A blueberry bran muffin and some pears. And....he ate almost all of it! :) 

yummy yummy!