SPOILED OR LOVED?

The other day a friend saw Scott drop me at the door of our office building, then pull off.  They asked where he was going, to which I replied to park the car.  They laughed and told me that he was spoiling me. I was not offended at the remark, as it was said in jest. I chuckled and said, maybe but I sure was glad that I had found a keeper of a husband.

It did get me to thinking though.  Why is it that when husbands do things like dropping their wives at the front door of a building in bad weather, or opening the car door for them, or carrying in groceries for them, or not letting them carry babies and baby carriers (the list could go on forever), that the world see's the wife as spoiled?  I think it's another example of the world trying to mess up something that God has put in place. 

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her Eph5:25

So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. Eph5:28

Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. Col 3:19

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. 1Peter 3:7

These are but a few of the verses in the bible that reflect that a husbands love is supposed to be an example of Christ's love for the church.  He gave His life for that love.

Scott and I go to the grocery store together.  When we get home he carries the groceries into the house while I put them away.  He isn't trying to spoil me, he is showing me love.  He also pumps the gas into my car the majority of the time.  Again, he is doing this out of love.

When I was still lived at home I can remember my father, and also my brother, going out on cold mornings and starting my car so I wouldn't have to get into a cold car. Were they spoiling me? No, they were showing me love and an example of how men should be towards women.  I remember my father driving my mother back and forth to work when she worked on weekends because he didn't want her to drive at night alone.  Was he spoiling her?  No, he was showing her love, and showing his children how much he loved their mother. 

I also remember after Becca was born and we lived with Scott's grandfather him starting my car for me  and carrying Becca in her car seat to the car because he said it was to heavy for me because I was pregnant with Ben at the time.  He was 70 years old, I was 28.

So am I spoiled, or have I been surrounded by men who know and remember how to show love as Christ also loved the church?  I know which answer is correct for me, you can decide for yourself – or let the world decide for you.

JEREMIAH'S CAMPING ADVENTURE

We took Jeremiah camping last week.  Nick was chaperoning our church teen camp, so what better time to kidnap his wife and son?  We packed the RV on Saturday and left Sunday after church.  We were camping on the Piankatank River at one of our favorite campgrounds.  We arrived around 3:30 and set up camp.  We took Becca's small pack-n-lay for Jeremiah to sleep in (although he had different ideas) and our bigger one for him to play in while we were doing things around the site


 

Jeremiah hanging out in the Pack-n-play

After we had gotten everything set up we went for a quick hike - which wore poor little J-man out.  We got some cute pictures of him with his soon-to-be walking stick (once he grows into it)

 

The first night was a little challenging for sleeping, because Jeremiah was not used to his surroundings.  Becca was very clever and brought the bumpers to his crib, but that still didn't make him happy.  We ended up with him sleeping in the back with her and I, and Scott sleeping over top of the cab of the RV.  We got about 4 hours of sleep.  Monday night was much better - one because we wore Lil'gran'man out, and the other because we let Becca and him sleep in the back all to themselves. That sleeping arrangement worked for the rest of the week - YAY!

 

Monday morning we got up and planned our day.  We had breakfast, then went to our favorite Ice cream parlor in the area, (it took all of us to eat Becca's Sundae).  Once we had enjoyed our ice cream and some photo's,  

 

we went to the Virginia Living Museum. Jeremiah had fun looking at all of the fish and wild life. 

 

We decided while there that it would  be a good idea to get Jeremiah a back-pack leash because he was very quick to get away from us and didn't like the stroller all of the time.

 

At one point there was a "feel the wild life" exhibit.  Jeremiah "petted" the horse shoe crab -

 

but I don't think he liked the feel because he tucked his hand away and buried his head in Scott's shoulder.  The lady at the exhibit was pleased that he at least touched it - she said most kids his age won't even do that - kinda cool!

 

On our way back to the RV we stopped and bought some crabs for Scott and Becca to cook and pick.  It was one of the only things Becca asked if she could do because she LOVES picking crab.

Our next day's adventure started with cooking pancakes -

Then we were off to the Virginia Space and Aviation Museum. 

I think this was Scott's favorite part of our vacation - because he and Jeremiah got to push all sorts of buttons - ahem....

 

 

He let Jeremiah ride on his shoulders quite a bit on this trip - and kept saying "Bongo Jim da Bongo Jim" the whole time he was riding and jumping up and down - hehehe.

 

We got back to the RV and had borsched (beet soup) for dinner.  Jeremiah even enjoyed it - kinda of....

 

Our next day at camping we went to see Nick for lunch.  When we got back to the RV we went to the pool and did more hiking.

 

Then our adventure ended - and we headed back home to unpack and get ready for Nick to come home from camp.  Hopefully our next camping adventure will include Moriah =D




PEACH PICKING AND CANNING

We took Jeremiah for his first official peach picking adventure.    The llamas decided they hadn't been on a trip in a while and wanted to tag along to help out.

 Jeremiah enjoyed their company in the back seat.  We went  to Chiles Orchard in Crozet.  We hadn't been before so it was an adventure just getting there.  They are a very popular place, because both parking lots were slam full!  The folks that worked there were so nice.  They had all sorts of fresh fruit, but we were after peaches. 

We did buy some peach donuts and some peach cider though!!

Jeremiah enjoyed the picking (when we lifted him up to get them from the trees),

but I think he enjoyed the eating even more!! 

We only picked a bag full, but bought a 1/2 bushel so we would cook and can with them. 

By the time we got home the llamas were exhausted!!  I don't know if they were exhausted from the peaches or Jeremiah or a combination of both =D

A couple of days after we went we finally got down to canning.  Scott and Becca were the primary canners while I was tasked with the job of entertaining Jeremiah.

We had just bought him new shoes,

so I put his shoes on him and decided to take him outside to break them in.  He decided to teach me how to roll down a hill - several times.  Luckily we have no pictures of that - hehehe.  After we had played for quite a while, we went inside and found  that the canning crew was done.

Next year we will probably buy a whole bushel to can and cook with!!  Next adventure??  Apple picking in the fall.

JEREMIAH'S 1ST BIRTHDAY

 

We celebrated Jeremiah's 1^st birthday a few weekends ago.  We had a small family celebration at Crumptonland. The parents and their siblings, grand parents and great-grand parents were in attendance.  Some of the great-grands couldn't make it, but their love was present.



Becca and J-man





Ron and J-man

 
 

My dad and Bubba (Scott's dad)

 


Karen and Grandma Sandy



Ron's Dad, Karen and Jeremiah

 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                













We had burgers and hot dogs, and Scottie made a couple of pizza's on

his new pizza oven that he built in the patio. We have nick-named it Thomas the Tank Engine - because that's what it looks like.

We also had a fresh vegge tray, macaroni salad and chili (for the hot dogs – yum). Here are some photo's of the cooking crew.

 

After having some serious grub and a quick nap for J-man, Jeremiah got to open his gifts.  He loved the wrapping paper and boxes – of course.  And got to ride his bike and his tractor – fun times indeed. 

Then it was time for birthday cake.  We bought Jeremiah his own smash cake.  He wasn't sure what to do with it at first, it felt funny in his hand. 

But after he figured out it tasted really good he went to town on it! 

 

He even had time to share some with his Bubbee.

 

Of course, it ended up in his hair and everywhere – but what would be the fun of a birthday if you didn't get a little messy right?  Becca had to strip him down and give him a shower to get it all off him – even though I suggested that she just let Molly lick him clean

- - yeah - - that didn't go over really well AT ALL.

 

So – here is to seeing what the next year brings!!  Love you J-man!!