Raising a Foodie!!!

No big surprise that Channing is a child that LOVES to  eat. I mean really? Do you know who his parents are?  Just this past Sunday evening as he was kept during small group by Mrs. Jadiene, he showed us just how ready he is. She was carrying him in the Bjorn and passing out cookies to the other boys & girls. Channing was not about to be passed up! He grabbed the cookie from her hand & put it RIGHT TO HIS MOUTH! 5 months old! He wasn't really sure what to do with it then, and the cookie fell to the ground but he understands the concept! Just another reminder that our kids are watching us intently & that they mimic what they see.

Dad taking a try at it!

BUT, it has already been a conviction of mine that just as I teach him to eat, he will be taught healthy eating habits as we change ours &the importance of exercising. I picked up the habit of being an emotional eater and as I've worked through that as an adult, I am so grateful to have the knowledge to  break that generational habit through God's help! Already this kiddo LOVES & I mean LOVES peas! He's also had bananas, sweet potatoes, applesauce, carrots, and blueberries.

MMmm...blueberries & bananas.

Sunny days...

We've really been enjoying the WONDERFUL weather we've had the last few days. John went out of town on a conference with Pastor Andrew & Pastor Kevin last week which left Channing & I here to play for few days. I love & hate those days. I love them because I don't care about the house or the meals. I eat a peanut butter sandwich & call it a day & just play with my fella! Channing was MORE than ready for some daddy loving though when John got back! We also got to visit with my family twice recently (I'll post pics later of that from John's computer) & enjoyed a few hours with our sweet friend Mere & Eric.

The big news in the Berry house is that Mommy is home FULL TIME! In January I went back to teaching preschool 3 days a week & tried my best to make it work. But it was took too much away from my family even being gone as little as I was. After a full month of prayer about it, I knew what I had to do. I did not want to live with REGRET. Really at the end of my life will I say " Wish I had worked more?". I seriously doubt it. I'm going to say "Wish I had invested that time in my babies." So we are trusting God with what seems CRAZY at the world's standards and choosing to live with LESS! Really I think we will find, as we have already in 2 weeks, that LESS REALLY IS MORE!

 More time together. More peace. More investment into our baby boy. More intentional discretion between needs & wants, but oh so worth it!

 Being home full time has really allowed me to thank God each day for the time I have with Channing. I am truly trying to be intentional with our time together. We've been studying different scriptures. I've memorized 4 new ones this week and I practice each one with him. I'm trusting God's word in 2 Timothy 3:15 "From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."  We have these awesome TRUTH CARDS Aunt Coley & Uncle Brandon (who we miss by the way & can't wait until they are in Charlotte where we can see each other more often!) gave us for Christmas that we've been working our way through.  As we pray each day I earnestly ask God to draw Channing's heart to him at an early age. I'm going to be sure that I'm doing everything on my end to be sure that Channing understands the importance of Christ in his life. This week I also got to enjoy my first MOPS meeting & I loved it! I always marvel at how the Lord provides exactly the encouragement you need at the right time. I hope you find him to be that faithful in your life too. Here are a few more pictures of our cute bundle of joy. Oh how I wish you could love on him in person. He's such a little love bug!

I LOVE this happy boy!

We had a great little visit with the Marshburns!

A serious morning talk.

Mom, I'm ready! I thought we were going walking? Why are you taking pics again?

That's His Story & He's Sticking to it!

Happy Boy....

I know it's tempting, but try not to attempt to pinch the thighs or cheeks that are on your computer screen. I know it's hard, but you can do it!

Endure the SUCK

Last night Channing was congested. SERIOUSLY congested. Honestly I've always wondered where the excess of mucus comes from? And isn't it so painful. It kept him from resting and breathing well. So of course as his mommy I wanted to help him. So I go in with the nose syringe or nose sucker as I call it for a more technical term. The kid sees it coming and immediately despite my calm tone and words to him is hating it. I'm pretty sure I heard " MAMA" as I went in for the removal of excess gunk, but I would rather not count that in my child's baby book as the first word he said during a night time torture session.  So I'm listening to my poor baby cry and flail his arms and legs as I'm trying to help him breath & I realize this is such an example of how we are with God during hard things.

I realize the things we experience are much harder but just hear me out. As Channing's mom I want nothing more than to help him. I have the foresight to see that something so painful and difficult will bring about pleasing results for him. HE is unable to see that. He is unable to understand why I would do such a thing. He fights what is good for him. FIGHTS hard and CRYS out in discontent. I know I've done that a few times during times where I felt intense pressure in my life. But as one that loves him, I press on with what is hard for his good.  And in the end the crying stops and he is able to breath and experience the benefits of the hard moments.

Last night in small group we discussed Seeing God during the hard times. We all have hard times and circumstances in our lives from time to time that cause us to question the Lord & his plan. I immediately think of our six years of infertility. Others are dealing with cancer, death of a loved one, work related issues, serious health concerns. The list is never ending. Lets face it, Jesus wasn't kidding when he said in John 16:33... " in this world you will have trouble...". But what an amazing second part to that verse. "BUT TAKE HEART! I have overcome the world." Knowing this isn't it a little easier to swallow James 1:2-4? "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." After reading that I can trust that any difficult circumstances that come my way are for my good..to make me complete....to bring me to a place where I am ultimately lacking nothing. And God is so faithful. Now being on the other side of a very difficult six years I can say that Psalm 34:8 is right on; "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him."

So as one of our friends Ben would say... ENDURE THE SUCK....it's for your good.

FoUr MoNtHs

At his 4 month check up Channing weighed 16.4 pounds (75%) and was almost 28 inches long  (75%). Obviously he has no trouble eating. Dr. Hodges said he looks wonderful. He was a champ taking his shots and barely even cried. He's now rolling over, when he takes a notion to. He's not really a fan of being on his tummy. He prefers sitting. As soon as he wakes he begins trying to lift the upper part of his body on his own. He's now loving oatmeal and bananas. Tonight we will be trying sweet potatoes with our oatmeal. I'm so thankful for this little blessing. John and I love every minute with him.

Unwelcome Guest...

My little fella woke up from his nap on Wednesday afternoon and sounded much different than usual. It wasn't the normal "mama come get me" cry, but an "I really am not feeling so hot" cry. It's so funny how you get to know your child like that. Anyway, I hopped off the treadmill & ran in to see what was going on & found my little guy with a 101 fever. We headed down to our wonderful pediatrician where they tested him for RSV & the flu. AND the FLU has set up camp in my little fella.

Last night as we fought a temperature that just wouldn't retreat, I was overwhelmed with how God must have felt. Channing's illness is nothing compared to what God watched Jesus go through & if it were at all possible I would take that flu for him in an instant. What amazing love God has for us that he could watch his son endure so much pain in order to keep my nasty heart from hell. I'm so unworthy of that kind of sacrifice but so grateful that he loves me so. I love how the Lord constantly uses this little fella to draw me closer to him. He is definitely one of the most wonderful gifts I've ever received. Jesus & Channing, that is!

Happy Love Day!

Life is flying by....

Well it's hard to believe our little Channing will be four months old next week and little is beginning to only be an adjective that is appropriate for his age. I feel like life is moving quicker than I am able to keep up with at times. I find myself forgetting everything around me, and all that needs done, once we are all home and I just soak up all the family time we get to have. John is gone most nights of the week right now with so much going on at church so on Tuesday, Friday & Saturday I embrace every moment with my two fellas.

We have so much to celebrate with all that God is allowing us to be part of. Liberty just had the first Sunday of two services! 170 at the first service & 350+ at the second service made for an amazing day. That doesn't include any children either! It has been amazing to see this church double in attendance in such a short amount of time. We feel so blessed to serve at Liberty. We just love our church family & thank God often for allowing us to have Channing here in this area where so many other children are running around and where so many love him. When I take him to the nursery on Wednesday nights after the youth band finishes it is so fun to hear the chorus of ladies & children yell "CHANNING" as he enters the room. Isn't it neat to see how loved you feel when others love your children? Someone could say absolutely nothing to me at all or as an after thought, which happens often, but they speak to Channing and oohhh & ahh over him & I feel loved just the same.

As our boy grows, it's fun to see his little personality coming through. He LOVES music. He has from day one. It's always been very soothing to him, calming him in a matter of seconds whether a song from mommy's lips, daddy's lips or Pandora radio. I guess it comes quite naturally with mommy loving to sing & daddy being so talented with instruments and singing. Last week at church as the last song of the worship set came to a close & his daddy stopped singing, Channing let the whole church know what he thought of that. His SCREAMS filled the sanctuary as soon as John sung the last note!

Ready for a Sunday Afternoon Walk.

Helping Momma cook dinner!

Sweet Smiles.

So happy he is smiling here. This day will be remembered always as a day that  held the hardest time I've ever had as a mother. Channing had started teething this week. He has two teeth trying to come in. If you look closely you can see the tears in his eyes because crying is what he had spent most of his day doing. :( We had been shopping with his Mimi and without going into all the details I'll just say I'm glad the day is done.

My big boy sitting up. He hates laying down now &  most of the time refuses to try & roll over but has the sitting up thing down most of the time. One of those things that helps you realize EVERY kid is different.

He LOVES the hairdryer after his bath.

He loves his new swing. Can't wait for SPRING!

He's Yours Lord

This past Sunday we were able to publicly share our decision to dedicate our little blessing to the Lord; to say that our goal as the parents of little John Channing is to raise him to the best of our ability in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and according to his God's Word. It was another opportunity to share that he's ours for a short time & ultimately he is the Lord's.

In my current Bible Study I recently read a story that really is thought provoking for parents, and such a reminder of the overwhelming responsibility to be a good steward of the little life that has been placed in our hands.

An excerpt from It's Always Something by Gilda Radner: (Taken from Breaking Free by Beth Moore):  **This is an edited version in my own words to make it shorter for here.

A young lady had a dog that was expecting puppies within a few weeks. The dog just happened to get in the way of the lawnmower and her back legs were cut off. The vet gave the family two option after seeing that no damage had been done to the puppies she carried. They could sew the dog up with no difficulty expected in her ability to deliver the puppies or they could put her to sleep. The family decided to sew her up.
So the vet sewed up her backside and over the next week the dog learned to walk. She didn't spend any time worrying, she just learned to walk by taking two steps in front and flipping  up her backside, and then taking two steps and flipping up her backside again. She gave birth to six little puppies, all in perfect health. She nursed them and weaned them. And when they learned to walk, they all walked just like her....two steps forward and flipping their backside.

It's cute but after a quick giggle & some thought you realize the depth of the story. Our children, just like those puppies will mock exactly what they see us doing. No matter how far we have come in our walks with the Lord, we all have areas of bondage where we struggle to remain free. Any idols we have enslave us & enslaved parents teach their children how to live in bondage even with the best of intentions to do otherwise.


NEVER would I want to pass on my "JUNK" to this little fella. He makes me want to be a better me. The responsibility of his sweet little life pushes me to want to be a better follower of Christ, a healthier eater, better at exercising regularly....the list continues forever because I know whatever he sees me doing, is what he is going to imitate. I know that despite my best of intentions, I am going to fail. There are areas where I will not succeed, but I want nothing more than to honor God with this precious gift that he's blessed me with.

 Train up a child in the way they should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

It's a wonderful life....

This past month has been a whirlwind of excitement & unbelievable blessings! WE have enjoyed every moment of it.

It was so wonderful to celebrate the birth of our Savior together as a family of 3! What joy it brought us to have our son here and to think about Mary & Joseph and the joy they felt on that first Christmas morning. Having a child definitely brings a new perspective to your heart as you are able to empathize in a more personal way with what they must have felt and experienced. As we sat as a family on Christmas morning and read that precious story from the Word, it was totally different as we held our own son. What a gift Jesus was to us. What a sacrifice Mary, Joseph & God himself endured by sending Jesus to us. We are so blessed! I can hardly wait until Channing accepts Jesus as his Savior. I've prayed for that moment for months now...from the moment I found out he was growing within me. I've been reading Mary Beth Chapman's book "Choosing to SEE" & I've been overwhelmed by the godly children she & Steven Curtis Chapman have raised. I've been praying specifically for things I plead God will bless my children with and salvation is the most important thing I could hope they would receive.

Our sweet little bundle is growing and changing every single day. The transformation is amazing. He's plumping up week by week...our little chunky monkey! He's sleeping all night in his own big boy bed and loving every minute of it. He wakes up so happy in the mornings & I am so grateful that God has blessed us with a little one who loves his sleep. He's such a blessing to us and each day as I place him in his bed and close out of day, I thank God for this gift. As we head into a new year I know God has amazing plans in store for us. We hold to that promise from Jeremiah 29:11 knowing his plans for us are for our good!




Channing's first snow!

Happy New Year from the Berry Family!

2 months old

We've had such a wonderful time growing into a family of 3! This week Channing turned 2 months old. It's so much fun to watch him change & grow. He's such a blessing & we feel so honored that God would give him to us. He teaches us so much & pushes us to pursue Christ more so that he will have the example to follow as he grows & matures.

This week we visited with friends & family and enjoyed some exciting new things around the house.

2 month old little fella

Channing & Mimi in her office at High Point Regional Hospital

This week we visited High Point where Mimi (Wanda) works! It was a fun day of lunch and roaming around her office showing little Chan Man to everyone. High Point is known for its furniture...Channing might need a dresser this big for his clothes that Mimi buys him!

Michele & Cole with us at our Happy Heart Christmas Party.

Channing and Cole are one month apart and sure to be great buddies!
Channing & Cole weigh almost the same thing..around 12 pounds! 2 very cute little fellas!

Daddy picked up Channing's first swingset that was given to us by a sweet family we met here in Spring Lake. Also The Berry's, they are being relocated by the military. Can't wait for our little fella to play on this. We plan to add a little toddler swing to it!

sweet sleep

Sucking his little thumb

Smiley boy
Our talking boy

playtime with Mommy

We had lunch with our sweet Lesley! She loved feeding Channing & loving on him & Mommy loved having a HOT meal.

week 7

He's getting to be such a big boy!

Dressed and Ready to go decorate the church for Christmas.

Mrs. Shelly kept Channing in the nursery for an hour on Wednesday night while mommy helped daddy outside with the bonfire. Mrs. Shelly is the wonderful mommy of 4 & I would trust her with my baby boy anytime!

Friday, John's day off, was family day! We went Christmas shopping most of the day. Channing was nice & snug in his cozy carseat sleepingbag!