I like to move it move it

I uploaded the pictures smaller so just click them to see them larger :)
8 month pictures are here
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2406336&id=5011339&l=dcb3c15df2

We are on the go with the little man these days. He likes to wiggle and go and DO. He always has something in his hands or in his mouth. Gross! I hate finding him with something in his mouth that I know I didn't give him. 1. I have no clue what it is and I have to go get it 2. It is a battle to get it out (especially without jabbing his little mouth) I've already found paper, a bead that I have never seen in the house (that one scared me), string, carpet, dog food and THREE different bugs. Maybe this means he will run a pest control company. Nate says when he gets old enough, he can find the bugs and take them to the chickens. I guess, at least they were dead.
See and Say - watch his foot

I promise I do actually watch him! He is army crawling every where. I had to get him new shoes because he made a blister on his big toe joint from pushing off that one foot only. He does get up onto his hands and knees but just to hang out

Silas is starting to demand things when he sees them - like if we are eating something he wants or today he wanted a toy someone was holding. He just yells at it - AHHH! I feel bad cause he doesn't have any other way to tell us what he wants and at the same time we have started disciplining him a little for being so bossy. He'll catch on quick though :) Oh and he has also learned to pull himself onto his knees in the crib and a few other objects and then he bounces. Today he was on his belly and when I turned around he was sitting but I missed it twice LOL I even had the camera waiting and then a phone call distracted me!

The baby cave


We also found out that the little dude has eczema and so we've started treating it. It has already improved a TON with a little cotisone and Arbonne baby wash and lotion. When I was at the doctor, he told me that Silas should be eating more food so armed with that knowledge I started trying to feed him more. He has done really well and eats pretty much whatever we give him. He can pick up things and feed himself but it is more efficient when I feed him still. But he is getting really fast.


He went for his first swim and loved it (except when Nate accidently dipped his face in the water)



Nathan has really impressed me with his handy man skills. He has been working really hard to get this fence up and it is not easy when you are by yourself. I know it would take way less time with a helper. Thankfully a friend, Tim, offered to come help and they worked all day. Majority of the work is done now and may be finished tonight so our goats will officially have their permanent home right next door to the chickens. I'll some picture of it when it is done.
Digging holes for the poles

Poles in - THAT was a long and hard day for Nate.

Most of the fence up after Tim's help

Nate has also helped around the house some when the dishes are piling up to the ceiling and I don't know where to begin. If it weren't for him, I might have just thrown the dishes away hee hee hee Just kidding but I am so thankful that he listens (every once in a while LOL he will laugh at that) and rescues me. I am singing his praise right now because he is such a hard worker between work, teaching, house work, school and then he helps ME. Yes, he drives me crazy at times but I wouldn't have it any other way and I knew when I married him that he wasn't right ;)

Hay, Play and May

The biggest change in May was the addition of goats to our family. The boy's name is Misech or Mishack or how do you spell it? Ah, Meshach, that's it. And the girl is Freckles. They are so sweet and fun - like big grass-eating dogs :) Silas loves them because they let him grab them and don't mind....Twiggy does! We have a lot to learn still but are enjoying our little goaties. Nate is convinced that they say "Daaaaaaad" They yell at us whenever we leave them because they want to be with us. And they will walk right in the house with us if we let them. Here are some pictures of them.
Goaties

Freckles - She jumps off everything

Meshach- Nate picked it and I don't know why he chose that one instead of Shadrach or Abendego




Nannying is still going well. I can definitely see a difference in boys and girls. Silas is into touching everything and exploring. Helen does too but in such a more gentle way plus if you tell her to stop, she stops! I know Silas hasn't learned the meaning of no yet but now is the time for training in that area. Friday's we do baths during the day since we have bible study that night and plus it gives me something different to do. I love bath day Friday :)

People ask if they are twins all the time because they are the same size. Helen turns a year old on the 8th and Silas is 8 months old now. Which means everyone assumes that he is sleeping through the night - NOT! I knew that when I had a baby I would be up at night but I didn't know it would be for this long. I don't mind him crying a little before his nap but I do have a hard time with the idea of just leaving him in his room alone when he wakes up in the middle of the night. He does eat when he gets up so how do I know he isn't waking up because he is hungry?

This is what I was talking about when I said Silas is all boy. He rammed his face into the couch, earning his nickname - Bruiser.
Silas' shiner

Cucumbers help mean teeth. He has 2 now.

Daddy teaching Silas about the chick chicks

"Daddy, Mudfish is really cool!"


My goofy boy playing with the banana peel instead of eating the banana. This is his silly face and I LOVE it!

See, he is silly! Check out those little teeth :)


Hi mama! I'm gonna get you!!!!!


























My goodness, I love that little face!


















Lately, I've really been challenged in my desire to know the Lord. What I mean is that our pastor, Dale, has been teaching through 2 Corinthians 4 and 5 about how we should long to be with Christ more than anything else. And how we should not lose heart in affliction because our focus should be on unseen things rather than seen (present) things. It's been good to think through these things and reminds me of how temporary this life is. It's amazing that I can become so focused on daily tasks that aren't done (yes, those are the ones I focus on) or projects I want to do around the house and yet completely forget that this is a short time of toil. I only have so many days here with Nate and Silas and others. I need to make sure that I am living daily for Christ and purposing each day to try and help others to know Him as well. And if I wasn't already convinced check out 2 Cor 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
This is a 'judgement' for followers of Christ. At first I'm thinking, GREAT! I have WAAAAAY more evil things done in this body of mine and now it's going to be stacked up in front of me and displayed in front of Christ along with a tiny amount of good stuff?! YES! But this is the beauty of the gospel :) My evil things have already been paid for by Christ! This "judgment" is all about reward. Yes, there are rewards in heaven. And while the goal isn't to stack up a bunch of rewards, it sure is a great thought of Christ rewarding me. Christ! I get to be with Him and then get rewards! Grace is so wonderful because this truly is something I don't deserve but has been made possible through the blood of Christ. I can look forward to this "judgement" :)
At the same time, it is a reminder that there is another judgement to come, the Great White Throne judgement. This is for the unbelievers or nonfollowers, however you say it. This is not a judgement of reward but of condemnation and complete separation from Christ. Which even more stresses the importance to share the good news with those I love and those who I get to have conversations with. I hope that you can say with confidence that you will be present at the first judgement and not the Great White Throne. If you are not positive which one you will be at please ask me questions! You will be at one, that is guaranteed! If you are reading this then it means I care for you and I pray that you are prepared!

Love you guys and as always I miss those of you who we are away from...more than you know. You are not far from my thoughts and prayers!