play time from the eyes of Channing

We've done a lot of playing lately with friends. Here are some pics of my adventures. Hope you enjoy! LOVE, CHANNING

 I love sitting up now. No help, please.

 Lunch with Nana & Mimi in Raleigh

Hanging out at the park

Titus (above) & Levi (below) are brothers. We've had some playdates at their house on Post. Mommy got to learn how to open her hood one day at the gate when she was having her car inspected to get on base. She was reminded of how much Daddy does that she doesn't have to even think about!

 Tori (above) & Twila (below) have been begging to take care of Channing. They have volunteered their mama numerous times as a babysitter. Finally, mama decided to leave me & go on a date with Daddy. I was in great hands with the Matthews family.

"Hey Jack! I'm back here. Wanna play?" 

   Jack preferred the Radio Flyer to Channing...looks like he's having fun.

A thumb war with my buddy Cole at our Happy Heart Breakfast. Mommy always seems to come away from those gatherings with a happier heart & a full tummy too!

worship....

 A friend took this the other day. I had no idea she had taken it until she tagged me in it. But I remember the moment. My child was taken care of. I had no responsibilities at the time & I was able to just worship. But it's had me thinking. I need to be like this all the time. COMPLETELY SURRENDERED. Oh it's my heart. It's what I truly desire but so many things get in my way.

I need to worship though. ALWAYS.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 106:1

It doesn't say when it feels good or when the circumstances are as we wish. It says GIVE THANKS. It's a command. And then it goes on to say, HE IS GOOD. Isn't that so true? Can't we really say that from experience over & over? So I need to worship.

When people disappoint me. WORSHIP. When criticism comes. WORSHIP. When money is tight. WORSHIP. When my baby is sick. WORSHIP. When my attitude stinks. WORSHIP. When I don't understand the circumstances. WORSHIP. When I'm lonely. WORSHIP. When marriage is hard. WORSHIP. When John has meetings 4 nights out of the week. WORSHIP. When problems arise. WORSHIP. When I just don't want to. WORSHIP! And when things are stinkin' awesome, I better NOT forget to....WORSHIP!

Dare you not to smile.....

Another first...

Channing got to attend his first big concert this past weekend. Winter Jam is a tradition! We love it. Awesome Christian music for $10. Can't beat that! So we decided to take our little fella. Though it may have been more of an attention grabber than I would have liked, I made sure his sweet little ears were protected. Sometimes I wished I had a pair in my size because it was so loud. I was thankful that he didn't seem to mind the ear protection at all.



Running....

I'm working on becoming a runner. I've always been a runner. I've ran from a whole gamut of things throughout my life.....heartache, help, my relationship with Christ, relationships with others, at the first sign of trouble, love, pain, the truth,...gosh the list goes on & on. But I am so glad that I've finally taken up a new type of running. Running to help my body be healthy! And you know what? I'm loving it & I really look forward to it every other day.

I run in the path of your commands,

for you have broadened my understanding.

Psalm 119:32

Fun in the Sun

Today it was a beautiful day! We took full advantage of John's day off & the lovely weather. We woke this morning & I made coffee & homemade blueberry muffins & we studied some of God's word. Such good family time! After Channing's morning nap we headed to Raven Rock State Park & took a short hike. It was much shorter than we anticipated because it was a 88 degrees out &carrying an 18 pound Channing on you makes for one hot momma & one hot fella. If there is one thing Channing hates, it's getting hot. Despite the shortness of the hike, we enjoyed our time together.

We headed to one of our favorite parks in nearby Angier, NC. It's beautiful and not too far from an ice cream shop called Sunni Sky's that makes all of their own ice cream. You can get a kiddie cup for $1.50! Not too bad. Just remember your cash because they are still old school & don't take any cards. We also got to catch up with Evalyn & Sarah who are now at Campbell. They were both in our first youth group. I still can remember when sweet Evalyn accepted Christ as her Savior!!! Sweet, Sweet memories. So hard to believe that they are about to finish their freshman year of college.

 

 Frisbee Golf

John is serious about frisbee golf.

 

  Off roading in the stroller with Daddy.....just the beginning.

 Sarah & Evalyn

Sunni Sky's...yum!

I could just pinch those cheeks off!


At the end of the day, he was all tuckered out!

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!