Growing Up

When I think of the achievements in my life - graduating, paying council tax, getting married, buying a house, having a baby - not one of them has made me feel as much like a proper adult as finding myself on holiday, eating homemade egg and cress sandwiches and drinking coffee from a flask at a National Trust site! Oh yes! In that, I reached the summit of growing up, and all before turning 30. It's all about maturity from here on in.

The hubby, on the other hand, took being a grown up a little too far this week. He had a rant about the council and their poor recycling policy, and he found his first grey chest hair. It's like being married to Victor Meldrew!

Bible in a Year - Day 150

Day 144 - 1 Chronicles 8, 9 & 10; John 8:37-59


Day 145 - 1 Chronicles 11, 12 & 13; John 9:1-23
The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the Lord blessed his household and everything he had. (1 Chronicles 13:14)
As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’
‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. (John 9:1-3)
After saying this, he spat on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. ‘Go,’ he told him, ‘wash in the Pool of Siloam’ (this word means ‘Sent’). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. (John 9:6-7)

Bible in a Year - Day 143

Day 137 - 2 Kings 15, 16 & 17; John 6:1-21
But he said to them, ‘It is I; don’t be afraid.’ (John 6:20)

Holiday?

They say a change is as good as a rest. Well, I'm about to put that to the test. You see, we're about to go on our first family holiday, just the three of us, not staying with friends or family. Only I'm not sure there is such a thing as a holiday when you have a baby.

Hubby gets time off work - he can sleep longer, leave his laptop and his Blackberry behind, and someone else will deal with the customers.

I will be doing what I normally do: being a mummy, with all that entails, including nighttime breastfeeds, waking when the baby wakes, keeping the three of us organised, watered and fed. I won't be resting.

He's going to be doing all the nappy changes though. That's our deal. And I'll be allowed to go to the toilet alone.

Now, if I can just wangle the odd relaxing bath, I can have a change AND a rest...

Bible in a Year - Day 136

Day 130 - 1 Kings 19 & 20; John 2
All at once an angel touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat.’ He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. (1 Kings 19:5-6)
Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’; so they filled them to the brim.
Then he told them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.’
They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realise where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, ‘Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.’ (John 2:7-10)

The Biggest Bed In The World by Lindsay Camp

For her birthday, B received many books. I am pleased - I'm an English teacher, remember - though I will have to start moving some of mine to our bedroom shelves to make room for hers in the lounge!
One of the best she got given was 'The Biggest Bed In The World' by Lindsay Camp and brilliantly illustrated by Jonathan Langley. If ever there was a story that supported our parenting choices, this is it. After seeing so many children's books where babies sleep alone in cots and drink from bottles, it was a pleasant surprise to see a picture of the mum breastfeeding her baby, and that co-sleeping was the premise of the book.
I was slightly discouraged when the dad made a fuss about the sleeping arrangements; such a stereotype, I thought. But, without ruining the story, I can tell you that I was very pleased by what I consider to be a happy ending!
I think this might become our family's biography.

What children's books have you discovered that support your parenting choices?

Bible in a Year - Day 129

Day 123 - 1 Kings 3, 4 & 5; Luke 23:1-26
When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice. (1 Kings 3:28)
God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. (1 Kings 4:29)

Day 124 - 1 Kings 6 & 7; Luke 23:27-38
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

Day 125 - 1 Kings 8 & 9; Luke 23:39-56
You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today. (1 Kings 8:24)
Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses. (1 Kings 8:56)

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)