March Musings

Kohen's first birthday

Well, it's that time again - the last evening of the month - so it's time to capture some memories before the clock strikes midnight.

It was fun to have family over for Kohen's first birthday in early March.  It was so nice to have extra space in the basement for kids to play.  I often thank God for the basement as I walk down the stairs.  Friends even blessed us with a train table that they no longer wanted.  Isaac was very excited by the surprise. 

Isaac at the sugar shack

Last Friday night we started sleep training Kohen.  Since that time I haven't fed him at night and I've been able to stay in bed all night as Graham has gone in to him when he's cried.  We used the Ferber method this time and it seems to be working very well.  It amazes me how quickly the brain figures things out.  I suppose I will soon start to fully wean Kohen, though I enjoy nursing him.  I often think of Josiah when I'm nursing as I nurse in the chair where I rocked Josiah.   

Isaac and I had a fun time visiting his Grandpa F.'s sugar shack.  We helped collect sap and then watched it boil and be put into jars.  It was a nice adventure.    

Isaac told me that Chippy and Skippy send him an email every night while he's sleeping, to tell him things that he doesn't know.  For example, one email apparently told him how to get inside of walls.  They told him to use a chainsaw.  I told him he was too young to use a chainsaw as it's dangerous, but he thought he had a toy one that would work.  Isaac made out of construction paper a "Bubble Thought Machine" that he can use to send bubble thoughts to me when he is inside a wall.  He thought he could send out the message, "Is dinner ready?"  and he told me that I write down the answer and send it back through the wall. 

Isaac's drawing of his trains

One afternoon I told Isaac what I'd learned at the Bible study I'd attended that morning.  I then asked him what he'd learned at school.  He said, "I think Mrs. ___ and Ms. ___ love God."  I asked him why he thought that and he answered, "When they sing O Canada, they say, 'God keep our land.'"  Sadly, I needed to explain to Isaac that not everyone who sings the anthem actually loves God. 

"In Chippy and Skippy World they don't run out of bananas.  Jesus gives more."'

I was explaining to Isaac one day that some people do not have doctors.  Isaac told me, "Jesus could be their doctor."

In the washroom Isaac said, "I wish we were all in Heaven."  I asked him, "Why?"  He responded, "Because we could all have fun together with Josiah."

I was happy to hear from one of Isaac's Sunday School teachers that after they spoke about King Josiah, Isaac put up his hand and told that class that he had a brother Josiah. 

We started a weekly Bible study in our home so it's nice to be doing that again.  We're studying the book of Philippians. 

I remembered that I went through a phase in elementary school of reading what I called "dying books."  Someone had either died or was dying or getting a disease, etc.  I thought I'd try to read them to help me cry.  I'm happy to say that it actually worked.  In the first book I just cried for the character but in the second book I was able to cry for Josiah.  

I also recently watched a documentary that reminded me of the power of music.  I thought I'd search for some sad classical music to help me access my emotions.  It didn't work while trying to do the dishes but it might help if I'm able to be by myself.  Perhaps I'll try it during Kohen's nap.  However, I came across a Youtube video of an Ode to Joy Flashmob that I'd previously seen and that brought tears and thoughts.  "Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love ... Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day!"  I haven't figured out the right words, to say what I want to say but ... it's awesome to serve a God who is bigger than my son dying; a God who is in control and always worthy of adoration, praise and worship ... even when He didn't intercede to save my son.  I serve a God who loves me and sees the whole picture and He asks me to trust Him and love Him come what may.  Who would want to serve a lesser god?

Kohen likes to climb!

Kohen is a very loud sweetheart.  He discovers things that Isaac never cared about.  Almost all of the plants have now left our home.  I called Poison Control the other day because Kohen ate some of a plant.  Later that day he knocked over a lamp and glass went everywhere.  I am very thankful that no one was hurt.  I was reading some posts from his first few weeks which reminded me that he was loud from the beginning.  Isaac sometimes puts his hands over his ears and says, "No!  That's too loud Kohen!"

Thank you for your prayers! 

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Philippians 1:9-11
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.