Teeth and Translation

I'm quite astounded by the fact that A. and W. can speak SO much "jibber jabber" and know what each other is saying.  I've heard of twins coming up with their own "secret language" and actually delaying speech because they have their own special way to communicate, but I never thought that siblings who are two years apart could accomplish it!!  I kind of find it frustrating, I will confess.  It's like being in a room where everyone else is speaking a foreign language and you're left wondering what in the world is being said!  Hopefully, this is a phase that will pass.  Don't get me wrong, they do actually speak legible English, but during play is when they lapse into their secret language.  


While this is going on with the two oldest, J. is cutting teeth...several!  He's an over-achiever!  Why cut one or two, when you can cut three teeth at once!  Needless to say he's a grump!  My usually cheerful baby, full of cuddles and giggles, is now just lying in wait for the opportunity to bite someone and then scream as if it were himself he bit!  :)  Of course, despite the grumpiness (and the teething diapers) we still adore the little guy.  In just TWO MONTHS he will have his first birthday.  Flabbergasting, I know!


Other great news, W. is beginning to memorize Bible verses!  I know there are Super Kids out there that probably memorize the entire Bible at the age of two, but, to me, (an adult who still has a hard time memorizing scripture) I am so proud of my 5-year-old.  Hubby and I pray CONSTANTLY that God will give us direction in raising up young men who will love and serve HIM all the days of their lives!

Hitting Pause

Some moments you wish you could freeze and hold on to for forever.  Last night, our house was humming with the usual activity, and I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by God's love for me.  I felt it through the family He gave me, and was amazed at what wonderful guys they are!  Hubby was standing at the sink, washing like the third round of dishes, and as I watched him, I realized what a true servant he is.  W. was encouraging A. as he worked on a computer learning game.  His words were affirming and made A. smile.  "Good job, buddy. You're good at this!"  It dawned on me that he is our encourager!  A. gives whatever he has to whomever seems to need it.  He is our giver!  And, J.?  Who knows what wonderful gifts he has been blessed with.  One is always apparent, and that is joy.  He is always SO joyful!

Looking at my family, and freezing the moment for just a second, I knew instantly how much God loves us and how He is ever working in our lives.  He gave us an unexpected blessing yesterday that really touched me and my hubby.  Coming from such an unexpected person at that.  Our Lord is good to us in so many ways, and it is never more apparent than when I look at this family.

One little, two little, three little Turkeys....

We have our own little turkeys running around the Forsythe home, and they look very much like our three tow-headed boys!!  We certainly do love them!  We're getting ready for Thanksgiving, and we're reflecting on all the great things God has done in our lives.  While we were powerfully shocked to find out that we were having yet another little one, we are excited that he/she is coming, and thankful for this unexpected blessing!  We've experienced such great health this past year, and that is a true blessing, considering that boys seem to attract yucky germs with their dirty hands and their growing opposition to soap.  Yes, trying to keep them clean and sanitized is a great task, but a necessary one.  :)


This morning we made turkey-shaped pancakes!  W. and A. were so excited, and like true males, when they cut into the turkey, the first thing they declared was "I just ate his butt!"  Nice!

I'm able to blog this morning because the boys are playing nicely together, and J. is sleeping in.  My Youth Pastor (YP) hubby is only at the church office half the day today, and then we'll enjoy some family time.


I am unbelievably thankful for him.  I watched him yesterday, running out of the house, helping me out by driving me to Murfreesboro.  He had J. in one hand, his back-pack in another, and a box of baby cookies grasped between his teeth.  At that moment, he looked like a magnificent super-hero, minus the cape.


He is SUPER DADDY!  And the best husband in the world.  Thank you, honey, for all you do!


Time yet for another cup of coffee.  Happy Thanksgiving, ya'll!  Here's some lyrics from one of my favorite thanksgiving hymns:

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich"
Because of what the Lord has done for us.

Give thanks

The things they say....

Conversations overhead between W. and A. (especially in the back of the van) can be quite amusing. Today, A. was speaking incessantly about superheroes.  W. sighed, as if he were growing tired of the one-sided talkfest and said: "A. there are no REAL superheroes in this city!"

A. was quiet, only for a second, and responded:  "no, 'cause they're on my underwear!"   :-)

I had to laugh out loud!  The next "funny" didn't occur until bedtime, and then we had two in a row.  The first started when W. wanted to entertain A. with his stuffed Larry the Cucumber.  He was making Larry "speak" and moving him around like a puppet.  He proceeded to "preach" a sermon to A. about caring.  He ended the conversation with this, "so, A. you should care about other people (pause) and that means not poking their eyes out!"  Good point!!

Finally, it came time for bedtime prayers.  W. volunteered to do the praying, so we closed our eyes and bowed our heads.  "Dear God, please help Granny to stop being old....." and I must stop there because I'm too distracted by laughter!  :)

A devotional I wrote, published in "Women at Southern: A Walk Through Psalms"

This is a devotional I wrote for a book that is being published by Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  You can buy  the book on campus.  There is a devotional  for every day of the year...I'm May 17th!  :)

May 17th

Background passage:  Psalm 66:16-20

Focal Verse: 

“May God be praised! He has not turned away my prayer or turned His faithful love from me” (Psalm 66:20).

Reading this passage over and over again has kicked conviction into high gear in my life.  The psalmist is declaring that we should announce to those who fear God all that He has done for us, and how He faithfully hears and answers our prayers. 

I envision standing on a mountain surrounded by the awesome beauty of God’s nature, and shouting for the world to hear: “May God be praised!” However, when it comes to my actually doing something like that, well, I’d much rather give a little shout out to God from the comfort of my couch.  More of a “hey, God, You’re awesome” with a thumbs up for good measure. Too often I lose my eagerness to tell people what God has done for me and how He has answered the prayers in my life. When I read verse 18: “If I had been aware of malice in my heart, the Lord would not have listened,” then I’m suddenly more aware of my sins, and how I’m not even worthy to approach the throne of God; but, verse 19 goes on to say that God listens anyway and He “has paid attention to the sound of my prayer.”  Amazing!  There is no greater motivation in the world than to know that God listens!  God cares!  God answers! That’s enough to kick anybody off the couch and onto a mountain!

What an immense comfort it is to know that God has not turned away from our prayers, and that He continues to faithfully love us.  Oftentimes we truly feel that God is not listening when we speak to Him and our hope begins to wane; but, this passage is one of promise.  Let it put praise in your heart!  Never neglect to tell those around you of the wonderful things God has done.   

Dear Father, thank you for hearing my prayer, even when there is sin in my heart.  You deserve praise!  There is no one on this earth who is faithful in loving me the way You do.  Thank you, Lord.  Amen.

Made It Out of Doors!!

Well, I made it to the walking trail behind our house, and enjoyed the beautiful fall day with The Guys!  J. is suffering from pink eye, so he did not get to participate in my amateurish photo shoot!  :)  Got some cute pics of W. and A..

Had to bribe A. into sitting still for the shots with the promise of throwing rocks into the creek once we were done.  It was the highlight of his day.  That, and, we saw a snake...still unclear as to whether it was a copperhead or a water snake.  Either way, W. put his knowledge of poisonous things to work (learned from his school counselor) and alerted A. to the dangers of such a snake!  Bravo, W.!  Hubby was there to save the day, and also another little boy (not our own) who dived into the water and tried to grab the reptile.  A hero!

Catching up...

On a blogging rampage!  Maybe it's because my three little guys are currently being entertained by Mega Blocks, so that I may type frantically before they notice I'm not giving them my undivided attention.  While we're planning for a new baby (which was quite the surprise to be having another so soon) we are also preparing for the holidays!  We all love this time of year, and hubby and I were actually talking about Christmas shopping the other day.

This year, we're counting our pennies even more due to the fact that we have an extra child with us this Christmas.  Now, you may think that a 7-month-old wouldn't be too interested in presents, but J. absolutely loves TOYS!  He can sit on the floor and play for hours with his toys.  And, he's so much fun to watch as well!  His expressions and his laughter are priceless.

It's that time of year for fall pictures, and I'm anxious to take my antiquated digital camera outside and get some new shots of my guys!  Hope to post some soon!!