Herron Hacienda | Faith, Family, & Frugal Finds in Michigan

~ TWO ~

Our sweet & joyful baby girl turned 2 today!  We love you Ainsleigh Grace!

 

 

 

 

~ Book Review: Love and Respect in the Family ~

Book Review:  Love and Respect in the Family

                  by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

I first saw this new member of the "Love and Respect" family while at a counseling conference.  I knew then that I had to read this book!  I am familiar with Love & Respect Ministries and have read the original "Love and Respect" which applies to marriage.  I had high expectations for this book taylored to family life and I was not disappoitned!

Dr. Eggerichs comes alongside of parents to show them the crucial roles of love and respect when parenting our children.  Dr. Eggerichs observes that children desire to feel loved by their parents above all else.  He also affirms that parents desire to be respected by their children.  Many of the problems between parent and child stem from one of these components missing in the relationship. 

Dr. Eggerichs walks the reader through how this disconnect can put a family on what is callled "the crazy family cycle"!  He encourages the parent to ask: 1) Is my child feeling unloved?  2) Am I feeling disrespected and 3) How will I parent God's way regardless?  Dr. Eggerichs gently reminds parents that as the adults, we have the responsibility to approach our children with maturity.  Once Dr. Eggerichs points out what the crazy family cycle looks like (and how it begins), he instructs the reader with how to replace it with an energizing cycle instead.  He covers practical topics such as discipline, how to incorporate discipleship in parenting, praying for your children and gender appropriate parenting. 

I loved this book!  I immediately found myself implementing principles that I read about with my children.  I greatly appreciate the transparency that the entire Eggerichs family shows through the pages.  I love how the family agreed to use some of their own successes and failures to edify us all in the journey of parenting. 

I would whole heartedly recommend this book for parents.  I love that it can reach both the parent who is new to the Christian faith as well as those who have a long history of faith.  Any parent will walk away feeling encouraged and equipped from reading this book!

*I received this book in exchange for my honest review as part of the BookLook Bloggers program.  All opinions are entirely my own.

 

~ Generosity & Compassion ~

We strive to teach our children a number of character traits and values.  There is nothing more rewarding then the moments we see that they get it, and in so doing, teach us as well!  Two of these values are generosity and compassion.  We want our children to see those hurting and in need and be moved with compassion like Jesus modeled to us in His time on earth.  We try hard to model and teach our children what it means to manage your money and belongings well so that you are freed up to be generous. 

I was deeply touched to see both of these values lived out in the last week with my 23 month old daughter (yes - even toddlers can grasp these concepts!).

Both of our children had received special helium baloons from their Grandma for Valentine's Day.  At one point, Josiah came running out of his room in hysterics.  He held a crumpled balloon in one hand.  He tearfully explained that his balloon had gotten stuck in his ceiling fan and broke.  Throughout his explanation, Ainsleigh stood next to him watching and listening.  After Josiah finished telling his story, his little sister looked up at him and immediately handed her prized balloon to him.  She then joyfully ran around the room cheering with excitement to be able to show compassion and generosity to her brother.  It was very sweet and moving for me as a parent to witness.  Ainsleigh did not hestiate.  She did not stop herself out of selfishness.  She did not regret her decision to be generous.  She celebrated!

My 23 month old daughter ended up teaching me about compassion and generosity this week! 

~ Recent Pics ~

Here are some pics I took recently of the Herron kiddos!  Josiah started 1st Grade, turned 7, and we took our annual trip to the pumpkin patch!  Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~ Teeth! ~

The last two days have been big for our little guy!  He came running downstairs yesterday afternoon when he was supposed to be having quiet time.  We anticipated the typical "get out of quiet time" pleas.  Instead, Josiah exclaimed, "I lost a tooth!"  He proudly held it out for us to see in front of his blood stained shirt.  Today I walked in from work and he excitedly welcomed me home and said he had a surprise.  His surprise was a plastic baggy with another tooth inside.  He was so excited and proud.  I love his new cute smile and his temporary speech impetiment is adorable. 

It's funny how something like teeth can create introspection and have sentimental value.  I was struck by the juxtaposition between eagerly anticipating the appearance of these same two teeth in Ainsleigh while her big brother is already losing them!  These are the two teeth that we waited 10 months to see and jot down in his baby book.  My little boy is truly growing up too fast!

~ Christmas 2012 Memories ~

Here are some pics of the highlights of the season this year!  Enjoy!

 

        

        

     

     

     

   

 

Merry Christmas!

~ The Return of the Advent Countdown! ~

Several years ago, I spent quite a bit of time making an advent countdown activity.  Last year I decided to take a break since I was working a lot and didn't need another thing to add to the busyness of the season.  I have decided to bring it back this year though!  My mom is visiting for the first 12 days so I figured between 3 adults, we can make sure we get to it each day. 

I am keeping activities such as:

reading parts of the Christmas story

making hot chocolate w/ all the fixins'

looking at Christmas lights

having breakfast for dinner in our pajamas

visiting live reindeer

reading about St. Nicholas Day Dec. 6 (read here for our take on Santa Claus). 

 

 

I added a few new activities that I think Josiah will enjoy -

make & play with peppermint play doh and cookie cutters

have a red and green dinner

playing w/ Christmas activity cards (i.e. march like the nutcracker, spread your branches like a Christmas tree, and prance like a reindeer). 

I love little traditions that make the season extra special and memorable for my kids! 

~ 9 Months Old! ~

Our sweet princess turned 9 months old on Monday!  Time is flying by!  She has improved in her crawling speed over the month.  She also has started to cruise a little bit.  She wants to walk so bad!  I have  a feeling it won't be too long before that happens.  She also is playing more - shaking toys around and such.  She continues to be such a joyful addition to our family!

 

 

 

Daddy's Girl!

~ All Treats! ~

The cold rainy weather didn't get in the way of Josiah and Ainsleigh donning their adorable matching costumes for Halloween last week!  Josiah got to trick or treat at the Medical Care Facility in town with his class, show off his costume in the school parade, and trick or treat in town that night.  Let's just say, there's no possible way that kid can eat all the candy he received!  Jon and I don't mind helping him though!  ;-) 

Here is my Peter Pan and Tinkerbell....

 

The best part of Josiah's costume is the little foam knife/compass and bow and arrow that goes with it!  The best part of Ainsleigh's costume is the adorable shoes with jingle bells!  We just may have to wear those now and then! 

 

Daddy's girl!