The Father's Good Pleasure

January 10, 2010 

 

". . . Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will . . .”
— Ephesians 1:4–5

If you have children, then you probably know what it is like to find pleasure in small giggly faces, tiny hands that tug on your fingers and little arms that hang around your neck, or your leg, or reach for you in the dark after a bad dream.

Sometimes, as parents, it becomes necessary to do certain things in a certain way for the sole purpose of hearing the giggles again. We can guess how our children will respond to our actions, so we take those actions because we want the smiles. We want the delight, and we want our kids to know they are loved.

This, I believe, is a reflection of our daily relationship with God. We are His children. He takes pleasure in us the way we take pleasure in our kids, only it is far deeper and broader for Him, because He is not limited to finite experience...

http://www.streamsministries.com/index.php?page=eletter&utm_source=MailingList&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=eletterjan2010

 

        

Nintendo DSi - Nice Gift

Well as I mentioned before my son prayed for a good deal for his Nintendo DSi this Christmas....we stood on the Best Buy line that looped down the block and around the back of the building....in the cold.... on Black Friday and low and belold he got it even though we were late!
 
Now of course I see why he loved it so much. It IS a great toy! It has lots of features and came with free games and a $20 gift certificate to boot! Not bad!

Anyway he took these cool twin baby pictures of my Vittles........... drooling as usual!





Inner and Outer Play Yard

Notice Vittles is HAPPY because he is out of the Inner Play Yard and free to roam!







I couldn't resist these cute pictures of my twin baby! YAY!

HOW MANY BIBS?

Praise the Lord for many dribbles....he wears two bibs at a time when we go out....and DRENCHES BOTH!!

Thanks to my son because we know we could NEVER have enough pics of our children....right?

        

MAJOR RECALL OF GRACO STROLLERS and DOREL CRIBS

There were major baby products recalled this week:
 
Graco strollers and Dorel Asia cribs. This is significant considering we recently also had a major Storkcraft recall on cribs.

GRACO STROLLER ITEMS RECALLED

Photo courtesy of CPSC 

This Graco stroller recall is the largest in US history...about 1.5 million . The recalled Graco Strollers were manufactured between October 2004 and February 2008 and sold nationwide.

 There are several models included:
 Graco’s Passage™,
 Alano™
 Spree™ Strollers and Travel Systems.

For official model numbers and recall info from Graco to obtain a free repair kit: 

http://www.gracobaby.com/SafetyAndRecall/Pages/SafetyAndRecallArticle.aspx?recallID=30&page=SafetyAndRecall

THE PROBLEM WITH THE GRACO STROLLERS

Hinges on the stroller’s canopy can pose a potential fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is opening or closing the canopy according to a news report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. There were 7 reported injuries.
 
GRACO STROLLER REPAIR KIT

When you receive your kit, the video link below will help you install the repair kit. It basically consists of a sleeve to go over the hinges.






RECALL OF  DOREL ASIA CRIBS


Photo courtesy of CPSC


There was also a massive recall of Dorel Asia cribs this week.

There were sold at  major retailers nationwide from Jan 2005 to Dec 2009:

KMART
Sears
Walmart

They were sold between $120 and $700 each.

THE PROBLEM WITH DOREL ASIA CRIBS & SOLUTION

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that the recalled Dorel Asia cribs have drop side hardware that can fail which may cause the drop side to detach from the crib. When the drop side detaches it can create a space and an infant or even a toddler could become entrapped and suffocate or strangle.

Also, when the slat is damaged, Dorel Asia recalled cribs can pose a serious entrapment and strangulation hazard.

Parents are cautioned to check under their cribs for the manufacturer label and if you have Dorel Asia Cribs, check the model number. If you have a cribs that have been recalled -immediately stop using these cribs..

To see if your crib has been recalled, and what to do if it is click the official recall notice: 

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10114.html


Repair kits will be provided in February. They may include two - four new sides and hardware to immobilize the drop side of the crib depending on the model.

Dorel Asia (866) 762-2304 btwn  8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET M-F
www.dorel-asia.com





For more info see these reference articles:

http://www.annarbor.com/shopping/strollers-and-cribs-part-of-massive-recall-by-cpsc-this-week/

http://blog.al.com/bargain-mom/2010/01/graco_recalls_15_million_strol.html

        

We found a new blogger group....please vote for us to be considered a Nice Blog=)




Blessings,

Here is our link:
http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/in.php?id=HisFireK

        

I was grieved by the recent reports about Haiti… it is incredible that so many unfortunate things have happened there on their side of the island they share with the Dominican Republic. Please join us in praying for them...

I was watching a news source I like from the 700 Club called CBN News:


 


One of my main concerns was the welfare of those friends and associates I know who have relativesas well as the relief operations that are already there.
 
Pat Robinson related this event to the “deal” the country made with the devil many years ago. I had heard of this from a Haitian friend as well as a Haitian on television who was praying passionately about this pact and asking God to heal his country. It grieves me to image all the children suffering there. For Pat’s report with more details  here is the link:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/01/pat_robertson_blames_haitian_d.html?ft=1&f=103943429


I am concerned about the children down there....

An admirable children's ministry called Mercy and Sharing is requesting help. As always, 100% of donations goes to releive human suffering.







Here is the link to their website:

http://www.haitichildren.com/

For day to day updates here is their twitter link:

http://twitter.com/MercyandSharing

Thank You!

        

We had fun visiting family where we celebrated the birth of Jesus….even though Christmas Day, Dec 25th is NOT the ACTUAL birthday of Jesus….we love to enjoy it anyway. I believe God LIKES when we honor His son Jesus the Christ. The twins met lots of cousins, aunts and uncles for the first time.

TWINS - SHARING OUR COLDS

The only thing was THEY SHARED THEIR COLD with all the family members who thought their “little runny noses” were cute!

 

THE TWINS SEEM SOOOOO INNOCENT TO UNSUSPECTING RELATIVES…… 

 

“I KNOW YOU LOVE MY DRIBBLES…….............………...GOTCHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” 

 



“SHE SUSPECTS NOTHING…….”

 



GRANDMA’S ARE GREAT

Grandma is a great babysitter for “Belly”….she held her much of the day….whew!

Even better, my great nephew is being held by his great,great grandma. Phenomenal……Praise the Lord!

 


DADS

The dads are in the kitchen….trying to figure out how they will recover from “Black Friday Shopping”

 

EXPLORING NEW YORK CITY!!!!!

Meanwhile, big cousin gives the girls a big adventure….NYC!

The Subway

 

 

The beautiful tree      

 
Sniff………………My GIRLS are growing up!!!

They walked and walked and  walked and walked….cold brrrrrrrrrrr and exciting!

Overall we had a blessed time celebrating the Christmas season with family…..now it is time to sort out my receipts!

        

I have been fighting off Diaper Rash from my twins a lot lately…..

HOW DO I GET RID OF BABY DIAPER RASH??

Normal diaper rashes are pretty straight forward...
1-you change diapers more often,
2-pay attention to their baths - clean more thoroughly,
3-possibly use a little better quality diapers/wipes or cloth,
4-put more barrier goopy creams or pastes on  - there are many brands but  I regularly use straight cheap $ store petroleum jelly to keep their bottoms protected when diapering.
5-and say a quick prayer....

BUT I tried ALL of these things for many days and it seemed to be getting worse instead of better.
THATS when I called my friend with 8 kids......surely she knew. SHE DID....fungus.

LOOKING SILLY @ THE DOCTORS OFFICE

I could have saved a trip to the doctors office for his same diagnosis but sometimes moms kinda "loose it" and become very protective over their youngin'

Immediately after hanging up with my friend  I called doc for a last minute "sick" appointment.

I felt soooo foolish as a mom of 6 going in for trivial stuff. Surely I know better.... so what I thought. I need it better BEFORE the holidays....

SO here I was in front of the doctor....for a diaper rash....on New Years Eve...holding he and his staff from their families....and he said................ "Yes IT IS Definitely A DIAPER RASH "  What a waste of time =) Oh well....

BABY DIAPER RASH FUNGUS??

The doctor took one look and easily determined WHY it was such a kicker to get rid of. It was a fungus infection! I’we had many years of bottoms but this was new to me! it was like a yeast infection.

He also stated:
 
normal diaper creams were probably never going to work against a fungal diaper rash &
fungal rashes love moisture....
I should keep an eye on her mouth to assure she doesn't have thrush - which occurs if the yeast is in her mouth as well

The doctor gave me a drugstore prescription for this foreign (to me) type of diaper rash as well as an over the counter (OTC) solution to try first:

OTC - Lotramin

A foot antifungal cream for her little bottom? That was his solution!
 
So off I went to Wal-Mart where the rest of the nation was...preparing for their New Years Celebrations!

As I waded thru the crowds I thought about my morning that could've been very different. A little more relaxing...But  I was very grateful the doctor didn't laugh @ me. I only wasted time, gas and money...that's all =)

Anyway, I picked up the Lotramin, my favorite diaper brand  - Huggies Supreme, and some supplies and headed home to "beat" this diaper rash.

WORSE

Unfortunately, the rash grew worse and worse till she had a red bottom with lots of sores that seemed sensitive when I touched it. This was ridiculous....it was just diaper rash right? Why was this still such an issue?

I looked online for some answers....as I prayed more earnestly for my dd's little bottom =) God can heal cancer, raise the dead, create the world, surely He can heal her rash...I should've prayed more before and saved some time.....

http://www.babycenter.com/diaper-rashes

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/diaper-rash-treatment-9/diaper-rash-causes?page=2

These articles were a bit helpful and informative....

ON THE MEND - A ROUTINE TO FIGHT FUNGAL DIAPER RASH

"Belly's" bottom is on the mend!

I pray she will continue to respond to this regimen. I personally had a hard time doing more meds so we are trying:

1.A lot more prayer when I take care of her lil bottom
2. No wipes - only cloth strips wet with warm water
3. Huggies Supreme diapers
4. I let her lil bottom completely dry before rediapering
5. I use A&D Ointment - which I used for years on my first few kids
6. J&J Cornstarch to keep the area dryer

Ok that is my diapering dilemma.....thanks for listening.

In my "former career life" I was an MBA Ad Sales Rep who did marketing campaigns.....now I figure out diaper rashes....life is good!

        

Family Articles Website

There is a cool website called a1articles.com that has a collection of Family Articles of interest that are useful….the site is updated daily by a team of authors so it is like a one stop shop for news and info that concerns everyday life for families.

Good Stuff! I really like it.

The exact site location is:
Family Articles

On this Family Articles website there are all kinds of tips including shopping guides & timesaving tips. Family news & great info for useful products like the one that caught my eye today… a hypoallergenic  product for sensitive skin. 

Oh, there is also info on many aspects of parenting from relating to teens and baby care fact … it’s a good collection of helpful info….

Thanks for listening!

        

What do you do when u finally...at the end of the day.....you look at your preschoolers dinner bowl only to realize HE NEVER ATE IT....and furthermore...he had a doughnut for dinner when he went out with mommy for an evening errand with big brother who wanted to use his Best Buy gift card!

10 REASONS WHY MANY MOMS FEEL GUILTY

1. Some moms feel guilty because they're not  feeding the kids enough healthy  food. SACRED VEGGIES AND FRUITS! OR
  feeling guilty  for FEEDING them "TOO MANY" FRUITS and not enough "REAL FOOD"....

2. Moms feel guilty because they realize they  not  having dinner AT ALL tonite = cereal for dinner
or whatever foods from-
 just  one food group -
at various-
grazing times in the evening.

Thus sacrificing the recommended EAT TOGETHER AS A FAMILY RULE.

3. Moms feel guilty because they feel they're not bathing the little ones enough.
Family members help you feel guilty about this one no matter HOW many TIMES you explain WHY you do so....THEY of course bathed their kids morning and night and their babies were perfect sleepers as a result......

4. Moms feel guilty because they feel they're not spending enough time with our kids in general OR our middle kids OR spending too much time with them and not enough for ourselves..OR our marriage...OR our friends...OR our crafts, hobbies, work....

...you can fill in the BLANK

5. Some moms feel guilty when they are having alot of fun OR if they are neglecting themselves and NOT having enough fun

6. Some moms feel guilty when they spend too much $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

7. Some moms feel guilty when they WISH they were working on a JOB to support the family OR guilty because they have to work to support the family...

8. Some moms feel guilty because their mom,hubby,friend says they should feel guilty=)

9. Some moms feel guilty if they don't teach their kids their native foreign language, OR math, OR spelling, OR their hw, OR finance management, OR manners...

YOU NAME IT....

10. Some moms feel guilty because of the appearance of their house...too dirty, cluttered, small, big.....

HERES Bonus Guilt
 "You STILL HAVEN'T POTTY TRAINED YOUR KIDS....."


HOW TO FEEL BETTER ABOUT  MOMMY GUILT:

SO WITH ALL THIS GUILT FLYING AROUND.... the end of the matter is that it is time for reprogramming...you can:




1.Pray

Then Tell Yourself:


2. "Thank God HE uses cracked pots"   "He's NOT DONE with me yet (Joyce Meyer says that one)"

3. My favorite: "God uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise" 

4. "...and so He gives His beloved sleep"

"God, can YOU PLEASSSSE make the baby(ies) sleep a little longer?"

5 "I will make NO IMPORTANT DECISIONS unless I'm rested and have a clear mind"

6. "It's ok...it will be alright"

7."Thats ok...I love me and I forgive myself"

8. "My family  could NOT POSSIBLY have had perfect mealtimes, bath times, potty training, bedtime routines and devotions ALL THE   TIME...they just don't remember"

9."It is NOT that important...

...since will not change life as we know it

...and will not make a difference 10 years from now!"

10. OR YOU CAN CALL A FRIEND WHO IS IN THE SAME BOAT AND LAUGH TOGETHER ABOUT YOUR STATION IN LIFE!!



If none of these work to assuage the guilt

Then GO BACK TO STEP 1 and cry out :

"HHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPP" to God.

That ALWAYS HELPS...




 

        

Hello,

I have a little 7yo friend whose mom just passed. I am so upset.... PLEASE PRAY FOR HE AND HIS FAMILY TO BE COMFORTED AND HELPED @ THIS TIME....

My 7yo friends' mom was fighting cancer and we expected her to pull thru chemotherapy treatments.

Many people have tried to support the family as much as we could to let them know we love her and want to be the "arms and legs" of Christ... in other words being loving and kind as I tell my kids over and over. The family needs prayers now more than ever....

I know my 7yo friend has a mom who DID LOVE Jesus and accepted Jesus as her personal savior so I am NOT worried about her going to hell BUT I HATE that she died young and now we are hurting for my 7yo friend. I am not sure how to help a kid "process" grief at a young age but I have family members I watched go thru a similar situation when I was little. I just hope he remembers that God loves him and wants to help him....

 I know my 7yo friend  has a supportive family and that is good....and they do pray and seek God's help...but I am asking all who read this to PLEASE PRAY FOR MY 7yo FRIEND &  his SIBLING WHOSE MOM PASSED YESTERDAY....if I get a specific prayer list later I will post it but in the meantime...thanks for joining us in prayer.....

Thanks