How Hot Is Your Water?

I have to admit that we don't follow football, but we did the American thing last Sunday and turned on the television to watch the Superbowl.  It was the first time that our five year old and three year old had seen commericals and mainstream tv.  They had no clue what to expect, but we got them excited about the game during dinner. 

As we watch with excitement, the first commericals begin to run.  In no time, our children had been exposed to numerous alcohol ads, vampires, bars, nudity references, greed, foolishness, and various other influences that I would never let my children be around in real life.  Michael and I both reached for the remote at the same time.  With sadness but holding true to our convictions, we turned it off. 

Why did we turn it off you might wonder.  It was a great game, or at least I'm told.  We did miss it all, but I feel we gained more.  We maintained innocence and blissful ignorance today.  Yes our children will be exposed to this one day, but why should they be today?  I have to wonder if I would  never allow them to be around that in real life, why is it okay on t.v.?  My children don't have the tools they need to decipher all the media and influences.  It's my job as a parent to guard them until I feel they are ready. 

It reminded me of the frog and hot water analogy.  You know the one where if you drop a frog in a pot of hot water, he hops out.  But if you slowly increase the temperature, he'll just stay in and get boiled.  I guess we are all frogs.  We are all in pots of water with the temperature rising.  It's our job to keep our eye on the thermometer, or we will get boiled.  Not only we will get burned, but our babies will too right along side us.

Disclaimer:  These views are just  my convictions.  I don't think anyone else needs to agree with me or like what I say.  I do not in anyway think badly for those who do not think the same way.  God's grace is sufficient with all of our parenting struggles and questions.  We are all trying to do our best with what we know.  Living is a very hard job.  I hope this post will encourage you to think about where there are areas in your life that might be getting too hot.  Don't be afraid to jump out of the pot, my friend!

Boom, Boom and VaRoom, VaRoom

 We have had two LOUD firsts lately.  The first one was the boys experienced firecrackers for the first time.  It was an exciting experience with Joel and Levi crying and scared to death.  Clark on the other hand LOVED it.  He held the Roman Candles as they boomed in the sky and popped other fire crackers.

Yes, they are crying so loud that I can hear them over the popping of the firecrackers.



He was so into this!!

By the last one, Joel decided not to be scared anymore.  He did a couple of sparklers!!  But I didn't get a picture of him.  I was frozen and ready to go in.

 Then our 2nd new and loud thing was MONSTER TRUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Daddy took the big boys to the Monster Truck show, and they LOVED it.  With hearing protection, they managed to have a blast. 

Teething, Stomach Flu, and Mycoplasma Can't Stop Us From Smiling

We have been under the gun lately with illnesses.  Last week we suffered from an awful stomach flu that was accompanied by body aches, head ache, and the other stuff.   All five of us had it at the same time.  Clark threw up every 20 minutes for 13 hours.  Poor Levi has not eaten much in nine days, and he still has a very messed up stomach.

  Then this week, we have had a horrible cold that I believe is mycoplasma which is a bacterial based cold that often leads to pneumonia. Itchy irritated eyes are also a sign of this illness. 

And little mister has cut his first two teeth on the bottom. 

There is nothing like getting really sick to make you thankful for good health.  I thank God for my healthy kids and husband.  I know this may not always be, but today I rejoice in the gift of health.