Bedtime Supplies

Teddy, blankie and a dummy. Life is good.

Art Class

Friday mornings find us at a local toy shop that offers art classes to toddlers.

This coat, with a zipper down the middle was styled ever so delicately by my darling girl. It was based on a literary masterpiece about two rabbit friends who were playing with and hiding in a red coat.

a funny sign

This is on a seat at the DC zoo...

My husband . . .

is wonderful. In case you haven't met him, he's really, truly a great guy. Last night at home group we were discussing sundays sermon which was mentioning the roles of husband and wives.
Submission is a hard thing for a wife to do. I must say I do get annoyed when a pastor apologises before preaching on it. It's God's word! Preach it unashamedly - besides if you do it right women won't have anything to be offended over...Aaaaanyway...the fact still remains, because we are fallen, sinful creatures, submission is a challenge. I noticed even this week, Lyle asked me something and I had a bad attitude about it. in actual fact I was merely being unsubmissive to his wisdom - simple proof this week that it is a hard thing to submit.

Back to homegroup. He responded to a question or two about the roles of husbands and wives and I was so encouraged by his humility and wisdom in his speech. I was joyful, because listening to him sharing with other believers I was privileged to think to myself "I get to be married to this guy!" I'm thankful to the Lord for blessing me with my husband. He's pretty wonderful.

A Good Day

I had a really (mostly) pleasant day with my little girl today. It was such a sweet blessing and a great encouragement. She's quite an emotional creature (can't imagine where she gets it from . . .errrr . . .like mother like daughter? ahem. yes. probably), but today she had some real 'wins'. She showed some excellent self control over her emotions (I was so shocked I was left almost speechless), she responded well to correction, mostly played well with William and at one point she even reminded me of the gospel at a point when I truly needed it. Now she didn't do all these things consistently all day, but nonetheless, it was a joyful day for me to witness the Lord's faithfulness and kindness to our family and to my daughter.

I do want to share her reminding me of the gospel.

At one point I was helping her and she was taking FOR-E-VER (she's a 3 year old girl . . .I shouldn't expect any more!), she obviously could see my impatient face and asked "Are you being kind?" to which I replied, "No, actually I'm being impatient. It's not good." She immediately responded with

"It is good. Jesus died on the cross to forgive your sin and God loves you. And God loves Emma and God loves William."

It was the most precious quote from her mouth in the three years of her life so far. I was super encouraged in that moment, firstly, I was encouraged to be reminded that my sin is forgiven in Christ, secondly that we actually have been teaching her truth (it's so easy to know your inadequacy in raising your children!), and thirdly that she is learning and understanding it in context!

I think I subliminally have high hopes for tomorrow, but if it all goes haywire and we end up a screaming tantrum over apple juice, I can at least remember today . . .and thank God that He is faithful and true. Despite my circumstances!

this photo was taken by the lovely Sarah of Ampersand photography in D.C. - http://ampersandphoto.com/

I love him

Summer days

It's been HOT! Not a fun adjustment coming from DC winter, but we are living in a house with air conditioning and certainly putting it to good use.

Now that we have the internet up and running I can start posting more family pics...

Emma being three for the first time!

 My incredibly cheap decoration

(yes, singular, as in, "I'm such a bad mum I made one decoration for my daughters birthday" ha!)

 Emma with her cousin Finn and the Hungry Little Caterpillar cake.

The face was squashed against the lid, but thankfully I was able to sort of drag it back into something like a caterpillar face.

Swimming with Daddy after eating some caterpillar.

I've discovered a great and cheap way to entertain the kids on these hot days - a bowl and some ice.

 Apparently it's really funny....

 They've been asking for ice ever since. It's sweet because they will sit together and giggle. I love watching their friendship develop.

Happy 3rd Birthday Emma Grace!

Sunday was Emma's 3rd birthday. Undoubtedly the most traumatic so far . . .she was excited to go into Granny's Sunday School class (my mum teaches the 3/4 year olds) and poor Emma was so overwhelmed. I stayed for a while at her request then snuck out, only to be called back again shortly afterwards by one of the other teachers. I was glad to have the privilege of watching her in her first SS class.

She was practically skipping (not that she can actually skip yet, she does more of a  dainty horse-trot) along with Lyle to the car afterwards telling him about Zacchaeus being up the tree. I think she called him the 'little man' which is fair enough, I had to google how to spell him.

My parents very kindly purchased a bike for our princess (and we bought the helmet, ha!)

We celebrated with Emma's cousins at my parents house (we were thankful for the pool on a hideously hot day). I made some cupcakes and a round cake and turned them into the Hungry Little Caterpillar.

Afterwards we had a swim and in the end we had a very tired, and very happy 3 year old girl.

Martin Luther Quote

Taken from The Gospel Coalition blog yesterday:

In fact, Luther's translation would be so influential and widespread that German humanist Johann Cochlaeus pretentiously complained that,

Luther's New Testament was so much multiplied and spread by printers that even tailors and shoemakers, yea, even women and ignorant persons who had accepted this new Lutheran gospel, and could read a little German, studied it with the greatest avidity as the fountain of all truth. Some committed it to memory, and carried it about in their bosom. In a few months such people deemed themselves so learned that they were not ashamed to dispute about faith and the gospel not only with Catholic laymen, but even with priests and monks and doctors of divinity.

Update

All is well with the Wetherston's.

We have moved into our new house - which is great. The kids are sick - much less great. Random fact: William is allergic to Emma's antibiotic so I feel slightly paranoid whenever I prepare to dose them up multiple times a day!

Our house feels massive in comparison to our little 2 bedroom apartment in DC. It's such a sweet blessing from the Lord. Emma woke this morning in a terrified state to the 'monkeys' disguised as Kookaburra's greeting the morning sun just before 5am (oh summer . . .) and managed to find her way to our bed for a couple of hours. Yesterday it was 3am as she was just plain terrified being yet again in a new environment. I suppose the 5am was more pleasant than the 3am. William is thankfully oblivious but unfortunately his middle ear is in cahoots with Emma, waking him up all through the night on and off.
Aside from the size of our new place I am blessed with it being built all at the same time. A lot of the houses in these areas are Queenslanders (google it, they're beautiful!) built many moons ago and it's near impossible to find one that hasn't been renovated in some way - perhaps something to do with those once fashionable outside toilets?! This house has continuity. I think mentally and emotionally I need that after the past year filled with so much transition.

As of right now we still have bits and pieces to acquire, but we certainly have enough to live. Somehow Emma is the only one without any furniture (she's sleeping on a borrowed mattress) in her room. Golly, now I'm going to start analysing her terrified state of being blaming a lack of secure surroundings in her immediate vicinity . . .(kidding).

I'm sure pictures will make their way up here again soon and I can continue to brag about how darn cute my beautiful children are. Thanks for you prayers friends! The Lord has been answering them.

Uncle Dean in LA

We've been in LA since Wednesday and are due to leave tonight.

We've had heaps of fun staying with our friends. We don't seem to have any pictures yet, but Abby (who is almost 4) and Emma have become great mates and it's been a joy to watch them interact. I'm sure I'll have a pic or two to post soon.

One photo I do have is us with Uncle Dean who we saw on Saturday. It was great fun for him to see the kids and how much they've grown.

Family Photo Shoot!

We had family photos taken by the adorable Sarah Danaher of Ampersand Photography.

This is her website (can't resist a plug)

http://www.ampersandphotoblog.com/

and here is the one photo I've seen so far!

http://twitpic.com/89n2u5/full

Sarah is a dear girl we go to church with, who is also a photographer. I have been wanting some for a while and it's great that it has come at just the right time - D.C., in front of the capitol building in winter. Furthermore William is at a stage where he's able to comprehend what's going on and look in the right direction at the right time! I look forward to having a canvas print of one of the photos on a wall in our home wherever we are - it will serve as a sweet reminder of our very special and unique time here in Washington D.C.. Interesting side note, it was about 4 degrees the day we had these done. I'm so thankful that the children coped so well!!

Rick Holland on Parenting

So I'm obviously on a parenting kick - with an almost 3-year-old and a one-year-old who is so crazy-dare-devilish that he already has a chipped tooth (seriously) I've been grateful for godly encouragement.

Parenting 101: You Can’t Bad-Attitude Someone into a Good Attitude

January 13, 2012 by Rick Holland

The implications and influence of our attitudes towards others cannot be overstated. Our tone is usually louder than our message. And tone is more quickly interpreted than words. I’m finding out the hard way that this is the linchpin of parenting.

Having teenage sons in our home creates an interesting environment. Messes happen, chores are neglected, arguments develop, things are lost, procrastination reigns. No, it’s not all negative, but it can get frustrating. But my frustration is not so much that my boys will be boys, but with my response and shepherding of them. Here is the all too easy pattern into which I can fall.

Something happens with one (or more) of my sons that needs correction; they sin. This sin comes to my attention and I feel the reflex of anger in my heart. Then comes a list of questions racing each other in my mind towards my tongue. “What were you thinking?” “What do you think you’re doing?” “Are you kidding me?” “How dare you?” “You were only thinking about yourself, weren’t you?” The list could go on…

Yes, my sons need constant correction. But so does their Dad. But how should that correction be framed? How important is the attitude behind the correction?

If you are a parent who longs to see your children walk with God or a someone who wants to influence your friends and family, there is a helpful pattern for us to follow in Romans 2:4. Paul writes:

Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

The second chapter of Romans begins with a confrontation regarding being more ready to judge others, including God, before oneself. In verse 4 Paul asks if judgmental spirit has cloaked our understanding of and experience with the gospel. God has demonstrated kindness, tolerance, and patience toward us. And here in the second part of the verse we meet a remarkable principle.

It is the kindness of God that leads us to repentance. Notice that it is God’s attitude, His disposition, which motivates us to change. God motivates us with kindness.

Think of the implications of imitating this attribute of God as we parent our children and try to influence others. Another way to say it is, “You can’t bad-attitude someone into a good attitude.”

When is that last time someone confronted you in anger and your immediate response was something like, “Oh thank you, I am so motivated now to do better and try harder.” Correction packaged in a bad attitude is not motivating, stimulating, or helpful.

If it’s the kindness of God that leads us to repentance, we would do well to encourage repentance in others the same way. But that will only happen when our thinking is flooded with thoughts of God’s kindness, tolerance, and patience toward us in the gospel.

If you are looking for a verse to memorize that will have immediate application in your relationships, my suggestion is Romans 2:4. Once again…

Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

Picture Perfect

My almost-3-year-old girl is learning to use the camera.

I figured I had to duck otherwise it would have been only my feet.

Parenting 101, the things the books don't tell you . . .

I'm taking a side step from the 'family album' my blog typically is to draw attention to something encouraging... This is NOT my own writing. I've taken it from the "Femina" blog. I'm just copying and pasting because in the past I've had trouble accessing their blog site. The website is feminagirls.com they are mothers and wives and have some encouraging words of wisdom to share that have ministered to my heart over time.

Masking Anger as Justice

Published by rebekah on January 12, 2012 in Mothering. 

My husband just preached on anger this last Sunday, so it’s been a topic of conversation around our house lately. And since it seems to be a bit of a topic in the comment sections here, I thought I’d weigh in with two small cents . . . on anger as it seems to manifest itself in wives and mothers.
Let’s just say (hypothetically of course) that you have just completely lost the bubble with your children. (That would never happen, right?) You got tweaked all the way out because they were being loud and rambunctious and they woke up the baby. And, (this is the vitally important part), you TOLD them not to be loud or they’d wake up the baby. You said it plainly and in English, and now they’ve gone and done it. This is clearly a flagrant disregard of your authority, of God’s law, of the ten commandments, of all the laws of nature, of house rules, of all human decency, and now you’re not going to have your calm moment to sit down and sip your tea and look at Pinterest. Or fold your laundry. Or get caught up on your email. Clearly (you tell yourself) you need to show the children the full weight of their offense. What better way to do this, than to pack all the punch you can into your frown, ramp up the tone of voice, raise the level of sarcasm to previously unscaled heights, and grab them (too tightly) by the shoulder and frog march them to the bathroom? All of this, you reason, is to show them how badly they have offended God – you are clearly obligated to show them how grievously they have transgressed.
If you don’t have a baby, then change the above scenario to the one where your daughter used up more minutes on her phone than she was allotted, or sent more texts than she was supposed to, or didn’t get her chores done. You draw yourself up, put your hands on your hips, and commence an outraged speech, littered with tasteful phrases like, “Why can’t you ever LISTEN TO ME???!!!”
You know how this goes, right? You tell yourself that you are training up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, showing them right from wrong. That you have a zeal for righteousness. That they need to understand the weight of judgement in order to comprehend the righteousness of God’s standards.
However, follow me closely here, you actually aren’t doing anything of the sort. You’re being a big stinker. Of all the pills in the house, you’re being the worst. In this little scenario, the prize for bad behavior goes to mom, with the loud children and phone offender coming in a distant second.
Now, am I saying that disobedience should be ignored? That we should forgo teaching our children to be righteous? Obviously not. I’m just saying that when you flip out at them and really haul up your slacks with outraged tirades, you’re actually only showing them that disobedience to God is something that is perfectly ok with you. Long story short, you’re teaching them hypocrisy. You get to ignore God’s rules whenever they don’t line up with your mood . . . so why shouldn’t your children be allowed that same privilege?
Here’s the trick. The wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. If you are an angry parent, you will not produce righteousness in your children . . . even if all your anger is directed at sin. The wrath of man DOES NOT produce the righteousness of God. Tattoo it upon your paddle. Write it on the doorposts of your bathroom.
Or how about this one? Proverbs says, “Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man.” You’re not supposed to even be friends with an angry man . . . so what exactly are your kids supposed to do if you’re an angry mom? How do they obey that proverb? We like to pretend that our anger is righteous, and that we’re in this for justice and truth. But as a matter of fact we’re just being selfish little punks when we lose our temper at our children.
We have been saved from the wrath of God through Christ. This means that the full weight of God’s wrath has been turned from us. Are we going to be like the unfaithful servant who, after being forgiven much went out and choked his fellow servant for a piddly little sum? You’ve been saved from God’s wrath . . . why would you feel like you need to pour the burning brimstone of your wrath out on your kids?
If you’re an angry mom, confess it. Stop pretending it’s justice. Stop pretending that you’re on a crusade for righteousness. Call it what it is, and confess your sin. Confess it to God, then confess it to your kids, and then confess it to anyone else that witnessed it. The confession should be as public as the sin was. And if you find that you’re shrieking at your kids all the time with very little apparent provocation, dig a little deeper and see if you actually have some anger issues with someone besides them. Are you mad at your husband over something? Are you angry at your parents? Are you angry at God for your situation in life? Do you feel wronged by someone from your past or present? If you’re hanging on to that and nursing it along in your heart, then your kids will be the unlucky recipients as you sub-consciously re-direct your pent up wrath. And even if you pretend that it’s justice, your kids will see right through it.

BIG shoes to fill

 . . .but he sure looks happy to give it a try . . .

An Anniversary

Today 13 years ago I was sitting among I think about 4500-5000 people towards the back of Grace Community Church in LA California. The evening service began at 6pm. It was an evening of baptisms. One after another I heard repeated testimony of the transforming grace of Jesus Christ in the life of individuals who were born lost. Lost and blinded to the truth of God’s powerful grace and love. As I sat there, the lights dim in the massive auditorium of the church, I began to reflect “wow there are a lot of people here . . .what would I say if I had to do that? It must be so intimidating.” As my mind dwelled on that I was challenged...what would I say? The verse Galatians 2:20 came to mind “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” The interesting thing is, in my life that verse actually read thus: “I have in fact not been crucified with Christ. It it still me who lives. Me who lives in me. And the life I live in the flesh I very much live in the flesh for me and my own glory.” me, me, me, me, me. So I pondered, ‘what would I say?’ I don’t have a testimony like these people. I don’t have a time in my life when I sacrificed everything, turned away from myself and relied fully on God to make me acceptable to Him in order to have a relationship with him. Everything I did was for my own glory not for His. In that moment I was scared, challenged and confused. I prayed a somewhat apathetic prayer . . . “Lord, I don’t know what’s going on here. I don’t know if this is a prayer of salvation or a prayer of recommitment. I know what is right and true, but I don’t live like that. I do it all for me. So please help me to live for You and no longer for my own glory. I need your help I can’t do it on my own’.

As I prayed that last portion the light went on (figuratively, that is, I’m sure in the sanctuary the lights were still dimmed and the organ was moving from one minor chord to the next slowly introducing the first of 13 passing notes). I was trying to live as a Christian in my own strength and not give my life wholly over to the One who made me and made the provision for me to have a relationship with Him. My life since that moment changed in amazing ways. The joy, oh the inexpressible joy I experienced in those days after that turning point of salvation!! It was such a sweet time of growth. A heart increasing in compassion toward others, humility before God and man and I do believe a general pleasantness began to grow in my heart. One character that defined me in the days before my relationship with God began was a meanness, feeding from pride and selfishness. I had someone tell me that once. We went to college together and she didn’t know me well until after I was a Christian, but she said “I had no right to think this, because I didn’t know you, but I just thought you were mean” I was impressed with her interpretation because it was entirely true! I praise God for the faithfulness He has shown to me. Protecting me from myself and proving faithful in the trials and challenges I have encountered in this temporary life on earth. With each passing year my heart continues to long for His return and I often find myself praying, ‘Come Lord Jesus, come!’. (Ordinarily I would post a photo. Thankfully I do not have a photo of myself from 13 years ago . . .)

Balloons

We took these photos on a windy, 4 degree day (40 fahrenheit).

William was napping and Emma and I really needed some outside time. We braved the elements and created some beauty on our outside wall.

We had a drinks break half way through (hot chocolate aka MILO). She told me her hands were freezing, which she never does when she's having fun, so it was a wise move to warm up before round two (the last two balloons).

I am thankful to create and share special memories with my little girl.

New York, New York

December 29th, 2011 marked our 4 year anniversary. It was fun to experience a cold anniversary for the first time. Usually it's so hot we're too exhausted to bother even thinking of something to do! While we were in Pennsylvania with our friends, they offered to look after the children for a night so we could head to NYC. It was such a kind offer from them and it was such a sweet gift from the Lord that, unknowingly to them, it was at the time of our anniversary.

Viewing the Empire State Building from the Rockerfeller Center.

Lyle is viewing it in a "Good, clear, helpful" manner - an inside joke with his intern friends, I'm glad it made him smile. (NB this photo is super special because it was taken by a fellow Aussie)

This is the front of the New York Library (that's me with the bright blue umbrella). I love that this amazing building is a library. At the same time it's kind of depressing in that it reminds me how young (and boring) Australian buildings are!!

We only had a short time to peek inside (before heading to a show on broadway!) but here's a couple of fun old things:

An original Beethoven manuscript. Very cool.

Here are the original Winnie the Pooh toys!!

Roo is behind Tigger and there's a bit of a reflection on him, Piglet is tiny so I thought I'd point him out to you - he's in the middle there.

Needless to say, these fella's have seen better days!

I couldn't resist calling my mum to tell her we were heading into Mary Poppins on Broadway. She was at work, so I first spoke to one of the employees, Julie, then dad (who honestly couldn't have been less excited) and finally mum who showed the appropriate amount of enthusiasm. Actually I think Julie was the most excited for me...

The show was amazing. Although the housemaid's accent was not up to scratch at all, she tried to do an English accept but kept visiting Scotland.

Here's West 42nd street (Broadway) and the blazing lights of times square in the background.

(I think I have that correct, it was all quite the sensory overload and was 11:30pm, so I may be a little off)

After a fantastic performance we stopped in at Starbucks. This is my favourite interpretation of Lyle's name yet . . . .

If you're confused this is what happened - he gave her too much information and confused her by saying "It's Lyle"

It...sly...le.

The Christmas tree in the background is in front of the Rockerfeller Center above the outdoor skating rink.

Erin was a mum to my children for two days, and I feel like I rediscovered myself. Thank you friend! I was amazed how 'renormalising' it was to be without my kidlets for a night. But I also discovered the cliche exists for a reason, absence does makes the heart grow fonder!

I am so grateful that we went to NYC for our 4th anniversary. At this rate there won't be anything special left for our 10th!!

Happy Birthday Granny

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANNY

Here's some flowers we picked for you...

We love you!