New Workout!

All of us in the Bishop household have started a new workout routine called P90X. Here's a little bit of how it looks on a day to day basis.

Our morning starts with a 5:45 am alarm. So we need to pump each other up!

Next we need to properly stretch the hammies
and the groin region

The tough part comes when we get out the weights.

and the resistance bands

Then to release some tension, we get into some hardcore YOGA

Finally, we hit the showers! Whoa!

We love our recovery shakes, that feed our growing muscles!

3 of my favorites!

Andy, Zander, and Starbucks. In that order :)

EWOW- Different kind of Confession

I am a follower of Jesus and believe that everything written in the Bible is true and inspired by God. I try, although I fail, (last post) to live my life to give Him glory. I am a sinner and I need the grace of God, that is why I try to live for Him. Although my works do nothing for my salvation. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9.

Why am I sharing this? Because many times my actions don't match my hearts desire. And The Word doesn't match up with our culture either. Confessing Jesus goes against the grain of where we live. Everything in our environment screams at us, “Have it your way. You have rights.” It’s an act of courage to stand up and “give thanks,” to confess the Lord as our only Savior, to say, “I’m not my own I belong to another; I’ve been bought with a price.

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us” Romans 5:8

The courage to confess our own shortcomings is difficult, and the courage to confess Christ as God’s loving provision for us is equally as difficult in a culture that tip-toes around talking about spiritual things. This is one of the things God has been laying on my heart this week. I'm so fearful, to talk about spiritual things. I can't even talk about my true beliefs because I am afraid I'm going to offend somebody. We can talk about politics even though we don't agree on that, why is it that we can't talk about spirituality. Although, when I think of this, I don't have much to contribute to political conversations so is that it? Is it, we don't talk about spiritual stuff, b/c we don't have much to contribute to the conversation? Or is this b/c we are fearful of what "man" will think of us? Or maybe another reason... Let me know your thoughts? Why don't we talk more about spiritual stuff in this culture. I have a couple international friends, and they can share, talk about it, and not think twice about it? Why is that? I talked a little bit about this with my mom the other day, and she said even if we believe the same thing, the intensity of what we believe is different. That can be true I guess, but I'm tired of feeling chained up and fearful of what others will think if I say something. I want to be freed from this. Just the fact that I hesitated to post this is evidence of my fears!!:)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Gal. 1:10

EWOW- Big week! Confession

God has been teaching me so much amazing stuff lately. The last week has been a journey of walking through the rocks but shortly after climbing to see God for who He truly is and who He made me to be. I started a post last week that I wanted to share, and never finished it! Whoops! But I still want to share because I have been both humbled and encouraged all in the same week. So I will be posting a couple ewows (encouraging words of the week) in the next couple of days! First one started exactly one week ago today...........

I'm down. I have been believing lies. I'm not beautiful, I'm not adequate to speak clearly, be a mom, share the gospel, coach volleyball, love my husband, etc. It was so intense that I couldn't even read my Bible. I tried to stop, say God is bigger than this, and ask him to overcome my thoughts. In my unbelief, I gave up quickly. Discouraged, frustrated, wallowing in self-pity.

An hour later was mom's group. I confessed some of these struggles to the ladies. I truly believe a couple of them were the mouthpiece of God. Saying I have "unconfessed sin to GOD". TRUE and the other said I need to believe truth in who God says I am; Who am I in Christ? None of the lies I was believing describes who I am. (hints why they are called lies!)

The next day I did these things, and fought the lies with truth. Then I was able to connect again with the living God. Praise Him!

Although it takes courage to confess sin and it is VERY humbling, because it challenges our image in the way people view us. People will realize that we don’t have it all together. But it is SO FREEING! Confessing sin is risky; am I and are we brave enough to do it?

4 Months

Just got back from our four month checkup. He did much better with the shots then at 2 months :) Cried for about 20 seconds, then good to go! He's been starting to get some dry skin and rashing a little bit. So I need to do a better job lathering him with some lotion once a day. Other than that.... Here's my big question... When should I start him on rice ceralish stuff? I'm not quite ready yet. Maybe at 5 months or... 6 :) What do you think mommas?

Four Months Stats:

Height 27 3/4 in (>95%)

Weight 18 1/2 lbs (>95%)

Head: 17 1/4 (80%)

I mean seriously... I think I'm a little biased, but come on... He's so cuteeeeeeeee :)

We have been working on counting, he can now count to 4 with his fingers :) I know isn't he amazing :) (by the way I didn't even notice the four fingers until after I took the picture.)

This was at my cousin's wedding last weekend. It was a great ceremony (although I listened from the back because Z man was fussing) the message focused on how our relationship with God is strengthened by spending time with Him (prayer and reading scripture) likewise that also needs to be a priority when we get married, making time for our spouse. How true, and how easy that is to forget. I know I'm guilty of giving Andy the scraps sometimes :( so it was a good reminder not only to Vanessa and Jeramy but also to Andy and I, and all the other married couples witnessing their wedding.

Grandma and Grandpa took the grandkids back to the camper with them so we could stay at the dance to have fun. Zander's usual bedtime is 8pm. When grandma and grandpa watch him. 11 pm!!!! Supposedly he wasn't tired :) I'm glad they got to enjoy him, bc the next day was interesting :) That's what I told happens, our parents love to be grandparents because they can spoil the grandkids then send them home with mom and dad :)


My DEAR DEAR Grandma! She made this quilt for Zander! Which I love. Super cute and vintage like. This is going to be one of those pictures that will be handed down. Precious Gift!

Andy makes me nervous! I mean all that blood rushing to his little head can't be good... right??? I bite my tongue and don't say anything though. I try not to be to controlling, although sometimes it slips :)

At four months Zander is continuing to develop:

• Still my chill boy, but he's lifting up his legs more and more, and loves grabbing his little toes.
• Standing, supporting his own weight really well. Maybe a couple mins. at least?
• Loves the bumbo, whenever he seems a little fussy at supper time, we put him in there while he watches us cook, eat, or clean
• No more swaddle!
• Still a drool machine! I started trying to put bibs on him during the day, otherwise his shirt is wet and he starts to get a little rash
• Grabbing toys when he's in the mood. He analyzes them (just like Daddy) No wild play like mom!
• We bumped his packnplay down to low level (we don't have a crib, so we just use this) I guess we were supposed to do that at 15 lbs. Opps!
• We just started using size 3 diapers. It says on the package 16 lbs. But I feel like they are a little big.
• Naps are still started by a couple mins of rocking, as soon as he starts getting fussy, I lay him in his packnplay and he's out in 2 mins usually! Sleeping usually for 1-2 hours.
• Sucking his left thumb
• Consistency with bed time. Getting ready for bed at 7:30. Sleeping by 8! Some mornings he's up around 6, other mornings not until 7:30. I usually always make sure I start his day at 7:30 though.

In other news, Great friends, Doug and Carrie visited from Michigan a couple weeks ago. AH, I miss them!