Crackers

While some people require vast quantities of "stuff" to achieve a brief and momentary happiness, my son requires only crackers. It's amazing to me how delighted he gets when I fill that little bowl up. You would think I just handed him the keys to a brand new something. I wish I could get that excited about something that simple. Oh wait, I do! I get that excited about my son getting that excited about something so simple. Being a parent is pretty awesome. :-)

Unexpected Grace

I experienced an added measure of God's grace today in an unexpected situation. Many are familiar with God's grace seen in His amazing forgiveness and love. I saw it in the midst of emergency and crisis. While I was babysitting for a good friend and close sister in Christ, her beautiful two-year-old daughter tripped and crashed headfirst into a wooden couch leg, splitting her forehead wide open down to the bone. I am NOT a blood and bone person. Looking back, it was the presence of the Holy Spirit that moved my limbs and spoke my words as I scooped the bleeding toddler up and headed for the bathroom. Prayer is always effective. I prayed for wisdom and was reminded to apply pressure. I prayed for help and one of the older kids called the dad at work before I even thought of it. Mom arrived home within twenty minutes of the accident. She was greeted by a calm child, a calm babysitter, and five other calm children, one of whom was my 19-month old who didn't peep about me holding the injured soul on my lap and reading stories just to her. How great is our God? He enables us to do that which seems impossible and extends grace in moments when all else fails us. He is good. I am thankful. And the sweet baby girl got three stitches and didn't make a peep throughout the entire process. More answered prayer than we know what to do with. That is our God.

Beautiful Moments

I spent the day at a retreat for leadership in the MOMS group at church. Erik and Luke stayed home while I went away and was rejuvenated by the Word and the fellowship of Christian sisters. There was also a foot soak and massage involved. Happy Mommy. Better than that, two sisters in Christ were encouraged by God's work in our lives through Bible Study Fellowship. I am so humbled by this. Driving home, singing praise songs, I honestly thought there was no way this day could get any better. Upon arriving home, Luke's first words to me were a request for my Bible. We then spent the next fifteen minutes singing, "The B-I-B-L-E, Yes, that's the book for me. I stand alone on the Word of God. The B-I-B-L-E." I wanted to blog this moment because it is proof that God provides the encouragement I need when I need it. He is good and faithful. As I look ahead to Sprout's birth, I sometimes grow apprehensive about what life will be like with a toddler and a newborn. I am thankful for my 19-month old who reminds me that I stand alone on the Word of God.

Traditional Irish Garb

You might not know this, but it is tradition in Ireland to wear a bike helmet backward on St. Patrick's Day. Luke, being aware of this, decided to celebrate his oft times ignored Irish ancestry by donning his Grandma's bike helmet on Saturday while she and Grandpa were over for a short visit. The shirt comes courtesy of Aunt Nikki. And I apologize to my friends in Northern Ireland who may never read this, but are horrified by all American attempts at being Irish!

New Chair Rules

In an effort to prepare Luke for the eventuality of a younger sibling using his highchair, we decided to get a booster seat. Thanks to Grandma for making that happen for us! The adjustment went very smoothly...maybe too smoothly. Luke loves his new chair. He sits in it happily and throws food from it happily. One minor issue remains and that is his tendency to want to "rock" while sitting in his chair. The highchair allowed for this. Not so the new chair. It's more than a little hair-raising to see him bouncing himself as hard as he can, knowing we are only a few pounds away from "clearly too top heavy for this experience to end well". We have therefore decided that rocking will not be allowed in the new chair. This has resulted in a new time out offense. Poor Luke. Just when you think you have it all figured out, life changes and you get ticketed for something that was formerly not a crime. Let's all pray that when Sprout arrives and begins using the "old chair" rocking does not rank high on Sprout's to do list.

I drop a pea.

Welcome to the Bangsund Family Blog. The better part of our lives are spent watching the development of our kids, Luke and "Sprout" (gender and name yet to be determined - check back in early July). Just today Luke decided to make his first declarative sentence.
While searching for food on the floor (Jerky we call it), Luke discovered a pea from a meal that took place sometime during the past week. His new game became dropping this pea through the rungs of a dining room chair and announcing, "I drop a pea!" Our friend, Cammy, visiting from up north got it on video. We will attempt to upload it at some point.