The Costas

You're my boy!

2012-01-20T06:24:00.000-08:00

Noah loves a routine. He thrives in consistency and feels safe in our little rituals we have at home. One of our many rituals is our bedtime routine.

Each evening after dinner Chris brushes “the sugarbugs” off of Noah’s teeth and then wrestles with him on the bed. After we sing, we tuck Noah in and pray for him. But before Chris leaves his room each night, he wraps him in his arms and says, “You’re my boy, and I love you so much. ” only after hearing those words can Noah sleep.

No matter what kind of day we have had at home, Noah must know before he can rest that despite all the good and all the bad we love him just because he is our son and that will never change.

Sound familiar? I know its not just Noah who needs to be assured of the unchanging status and love of his father.

I know my heart cries for the same thing, and I am insecure and searching until I can hear it from the only One who matters, “You’re my daughter. I’m pleased with you. I love you.”

Our hearts were made to hear from the most important One in our universe the very words that brought the world into existence, “you are very good!”

but since the fall we are constantly unsure and wondering, looking everywhere but to the Father to hear those words. So God sent Jesus to prove to our hearts the security of our status, the depth of His love.

Now we are covered in the only One who deserves to hear those words, the Word made flesh and dwelt among us!

Yay! my status is secure! my standing is confirmed! under the blood of the Lamb of God ! my sin has been taken away my guilt atoned for! I'm a child and I am loved!

because of Jesus over me no matter what kind of day I have had, I can always hear the words I was made to hear, “You’re my Son whom I love, with you I am well pleased!”

now I can rest.

I love you my precious.

2011-10-12T12:34:00.000-07:00

“I love you, sweetheart, so very much.” I say this a lot, but it still hasn’t’ sunk in.

Granted I am inconsistent and I don’t show them as well as I’d like. But they have no idea and could never understand how much I love them.

I spend my whole day strategically planning our schedule and activities in order (to the best of my abilities) help them to learn and grow. I love LOVE surprising them with treats or things I think they would enjoy! I think I enjoy giving to them more than they enjoy receiving.

I dread the times when I have to deny their requests or remove something that might seem enjoyable but could prove fatal. It really does hurt me more than it hurts them. They don't understand everything I do really is for their good.

Despite all of this, there is an underlying innate distrust that doubts that we are really going to provide for them.

It’s as if because mom won’t let us play in the street and eat m&ms 3 meals a day, she can’t be trusted. Even with Eden, “if mom won’t let me play with the electrical cord, she must not be good."

In the moment that Noah turns away from me, he is saying, “Because you are not giving me what I want, you must not love me. You must not care. If I want something good I’m going to have to get it myself.”

Crazy isn’t it? Or, maybe not?

But Noah has very imperfect parents. He sees their inconsistencies. They don’t love him perfectly. Point valid.

But I know a Father who is perfect, who does love His children perfectly who gives them every good and perfect gift (James 1:16)

who strategically plans and filters every moment of His children’s day to grow them into the little ones they were made to be (genesis 50:20)

who has lavished upon them more love and joy than could even be expressed (1 peter 1:8)

And who has proven the depth of His love by sending Jesus to die an awful death in our place (Romans 5:8).

And I know a daughter who is still anxious. When she worries it reveals a heart of underlying distrust that doubts that God really will provide, that He really can be trusted, That He loves me perfectly and infinitely! And that He is going to take care of me, in ways I wouldn’t have ever been able to anticipate

Hmmm. So maybe I’m not teaching my kids after all. they are teaching me.

Apart from You there is no good thing. Psalm 16:2

“What must we do to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered, “This is the work of God, that you believe.” John 6:28

Believe that I love you sweetheart, and I have conquered the only thing that could ever conquer you and have secured and displayed my love for you on the cross forever.

He who did not spare His own Son, but freely gave Him up for us all. How shall He not with Him graciously give us all things. Romans 8:32

we "built" a door

2011-08-15T12:51:00.000-07:00

We decided to put up a glass door today. mainly because I could watch the sunshine around the door, the air conditioner go out and the bugs come in.

Chris told Noah that he could help, and Noah was stoked! J

“Noah’s going to build a big door, Noah’s going to help lift this heavy door and Noah’s going to help dad build with his hammer and Noah’s going to bang real hard and climb this ladder and the door is going to be SO BIG and Noah is going to use the toolbox and look out and see the tomatoes and the birds.”

Noah assisted in removing the screws from the packaging and placing them strategically in the grass, climbing up and down the ladder in between dad’s legs, dragging around the toolbox and walking across the glass door, banging the hammer. All the while saying “Noah is a very good helper to dad” J Nothing was safe in the hands of our little helper. The one hour project turned into a six hour project, but Noah got to hang out with dad.

What a pretty picture of my Christian life. Me, running around pretending to be very busy doing very ‘important’ things. Getting upset when the hammer or drill gun get taken away from me, because I really think I need these things to “help” God, not understanding that God is actually protecting me from myself (and a lot of other people) and that my purpose is not to “help” God (He can build the door all by Himself, a lot more quickly and more efficiently without me) No my purpose is not to help but to hang: to hang out with Him, to watch Him work, to enjoy what He enjoys, to see Him, to know Him, to become like Him.

Noah has no real grasp of what daddy is doing, he has no visual of what the finished product will be, but I have a glimpse. God is building something magnificent, so much more than a bug stopper, something eternal! of more weight and glory than we could ever imagine!

So when I get frustrated that God is taking away my toys, or that I have failed from being the best little "helper," I don't have to worry... God doesn't need me to put up the door; He never has.

because it's not about the door. it's about Dad J

Whatever was to my gain, I count as loss for the sake of Christ! I count everything a loss compared to the surpassing glory of knowing Christ! I consider everything else rubbish that I may gain Christ! and be found in Him! Phil 3:7,8

and this is eternal life: that you may know God! John 17:3

summer loves... :)

2011-07-13T12:59:00.000-07:00

playing in the grass :)

swimming with dad :)

sunglasses

fishing on the trail...

playing at the beach

surfing with dad !

popsicles!

church picnics !

watermelon and hamburgers (a little blurry, but you get the picture) :)

pool parties! with chocolate cake :)

sundresses !

swings !

live flounder :)

tanning :)

getting ready for football season!

singing and celebrating our wonderful Daddy :)

I am He who has carried you from the womb, before you were born, even to your old age, I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear you. I will carry, and I will save. I have engraved you on the palm of my hand. You are mine. Isaiah 46:3

so so good!!

2011-06-12T13:20:00.000-07:00

chris and i were looking at old pics and videos last night... always makes me cry... :)
God has been so so good to us!
its amazing how quickly I forget ...
It's no wonder God tells us over and over throughout scripture to "remember, remember, remember"
because if we don't intentionally remember, we will always drift toward forgetfulness..
and when i forget, I'm not as joyful and God glorifying as I would be if I only remembered His unbelievable grace and mercy over and over and over again ...

how can i be so excited about a 2 year old with yogurt all over his shirt :) ...

unless i remember how many cleft babies die of starvation

and it is only the grace of God that sustained our sweet little 2 month old through each little ounce ...

how can i truly appreciate precious times at home with sweet Eden baby ...

unless I remember long nights in the hospital with my precious Noah bug..

and in sun or in rain it is the Eternal God who is our only dwelling place and we are wrapped in His everlasting arms! deut 33:27

remember what the Lord your God has done for you, the great trials that your eyes have seen, the signs, the wonders, the mighty hand, the outstretched arm by which the Lord has carried you! (Deuteronomy 7:18)

how happy are you Oh favored ones! a people who is saved by the Lord! deut 33:29

My brave bug catcher

2011-06-01T18:35:00.000-07:00

noah finds a bug :)

2011-06-01T17:49:00.001-07:00

noah stealthily sneaking up on his new found friend :)

using his magnifying glass to determine genus and species...

he determined that it was a Periplaneta americana, which was approximately about 30 millimetres (1.2 in) long

aka Palmetto Bug

aka big fat disgusting cockroach... gross!!

but its okay we sprayed carrot particles all over him, he didn't know what was coming....

heres the video :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-qSEiPgyoU

http://youtu.be/O-qSEiPgyoU

have you ever thanked God for your two front teeth?

2011-05-23T16:17:00.000-07:00

have you ever thought about all of the things that we are able to say and do because we have two front teeth? i hadn't.

i walk around all day everyday taking for granted the ability to make the "th" or the "s" sound.

the ability to bite into a big crunchy pink lady apple or a sweet delicious buttery corn on the cob. the ability to smile without my lip getting caught on my canines :) or people looking at me funny...

what is completely horrible is that i have come to expect all these wonderful gifts as normal...

but last week God gave me a great opportunity to thank him for a lot of the things I have been taking for granted.... I will list a few ... :)

-- the ability to eat food and have it properly digested by my GI system

-- the strength and mental capacity to care for my children without fainting or passing out

-- my children's ability to sleep through the night without being plagued by sickness and poison ivy covering their body (yes even on the private parts :)

-- my brain's ability to calculate depth perception between my teeth and an approaching object...

-- having milk in the house both to drink and to soak my broken teeth (who knew?)

having an amazing dentist right here in my own home!

who takes such good care of us... in sickness and in health :)

so wonderful...

so talented and patient... in and out of the office :)

i have the greatest dentist and husband in the whole wide world :)

I have come to appreciate him and so many other pleasures after last week :)

God has been so so good to me!

In His presence there is fullness of joy! At His right hand is pleasures forever and ever! psalm 16:11

so so sweet, at the beach!!

2011-04-11T18:05:00.000-07:00

noah and dad building a castle :)

both so excited about this picture :)

precious girl!

love her!

notice noah and the stick :)

noah and the shovel

bubbles!

of all the things we could find at the beach... shells, sand dollars, hundred dollar bills....

noah finds a disgusting previously used flosser in the sand and attempts to use it ... definitely a dentist in the making... "only floss the ones you want to keep"

a flowered hat, the sun, a towel. a real girl :)

a shovel, a ball, the sand :) a real boy

i love them both so much :)

"and from the fullness of God, we have received grace upon grace." jn 1:16

And then there was her...

2011-02-17T12:20:00.000-08:00

it seems like we couldn't find this sign fast enough :)

I never thought I could love another precious little baby as much as I love my little Noah guy, but the moment I saw her, I was in love :)

She is so completely precious

just perfect

with such a sweet angelic disposition.... she must get that from her daddy :)

my amazing husband. the incredible dad who delivered the baby...

with a little bit of help from our nurse, Thanks, Susan :)

our wonderful parents !

the happy grand dads-- pop pop

and dedah

we think she has long toes like me :)

but a precious face like her daddy

Noah meeting his little sister for the first time...

Noah is having a little bit of trouble adjusting to the new baby in mom and dad's arms....

phrases I have heard a lot in the past two weeks... "all done with eden," "put eden back please" "all done with big brother"

I love you, my sweet precious little boy. You're going to be a great big brother :)

Why Eden Grace? Our hearts were made for Eden, the Garden of God (Ezek 28:13). We were made to live in His presence, to know His glory! but we exchanged His glory for a lie (Rom 1:25). We gave our lives to something less, and received in ourselves the due penalty for our sins: death, destruction, and separation from God (Rom 1:27).. but God being rich in mercy because of the Great LOve with which He loved us, even when we were dead, made us alive in Christ Jesus. for it is by Grace we have been saved!!

...and why Noah Christopher? and he named him Noah saying, God will send a Comforter to save us from the curse (Gen 5:29)... and He did Jesus Christ our cross bearer (Christopher), God made flesh and dwelt among us!! (John 1:14)

So there you have it, my precious Eden Grace :) and little Noah guy :)

Since the Fair :)

2011-01-19T18:11:00.000-08:00

so, I have gotten a couple of comments from people wondering about our very long sabbatical at the fair :) here is a little update on the last 2 months since our journey to the fair :)

eden grace at 34 weeks!!

a trip to charlotte to see matt and steph and sweet lucy

noah picking out his very first Christmas tree!!

decorating with mom :)

noah reciting Exodus 2:25 "God heard the groaning of His people and God remembered His covenant... God saw and God knew." Christmas: a celebration of God's fulfillment of His covenant... in Jesus!

Aunt Tuck teaching Noah and Lucy how to play the piano!

Noah's first Christmas in Charleston!

Christmas Morning!!

new red radio flyer tricycle with a bell :) !!

... since our feet can't quite touch the peddles yet....

now we are anxiously awaiting our new little bundle of joy who should arrive in the next month!! can't wait to see you my little eden grace :)

Noah's First Trip to the Fair!

2010-11-06T18:51:00.001-07:00

Matt, Ashley, and the crew :)

Noah never expected to see his first camel and elephant at the fair

random place for a camel and elephant, but Noah enjoyed it :)

so much to see!!

the lights!

the cows!

the goats!

the fair food!

the tractors!

Noah's First Clemson Game!

2010-10-17T17:31:00.000-07:00

Noah's new little friends!!

2010-09-29T11:20:00.001-07:00

Noah really enjoyed watching football with the boys :)

he is so excited about his two new little friends! his first boy cousins! Charlie and Miller !

loving playing in the "mountains" with Uncle Clay's wheelbarrow!

and learned how to say "its a girl!!" to tell the fam about our new little addition!

here's a pic of little Eden Grace at 20 weeks :)

We can't believe God has chosen to bless us with another precious little one!! and we are so completely thrilled!!!

My Favorite Day!

2010-08-22T17:17:00.000-07:00

I love Saturdays!

pancake breakfast!

family worship time!

fishing in the creek!

i really can't get enough of this little one or his dad! :) two of the faces i adore :!

getting really dirty!

dirty little scraped up knees!

.. and the fact that it doesn't bother him at all :)

attempting to kill fish with rocks :)

contemplating on whether to finish this fish and crab off :)

the temptation is too great

... but how can we blame him? he got this love of raw fish from us :)

as if the day couldn't get better ...... sushi!!

chris makes much better sushi than any restaurant i've ever seen!!

i know i don't deserve such joy! but in my heart i know i was made for it :) and I know the best is yet to come! God is so good to us! :)

.... "Its not that I did choose You, for Lord, that could not be; this heart would still refuse You, Had You not chosen me. My heart owns none before You, for Your rich grace I thirst; this knowing, if I love You, You must have loved me first." (Josiah Conder, 1836) 1 John 4:19

crazy! isn't it?!

I love Noah's enthusiasm !!!

2010-07-15T19:33:00.001-07:00

for giving kisses!

picking (and eating) blueberries!

our friends! (even though we haven't seen some of them in weeks, he still reviews all of their names daily) :)

sticks!

climbing!

his dada!!

thunderstorms ("boom!") and rainbows

bicycle racks!

cheese! and bananas!

giant onion rings the size of his head! (don't worry he didn't really eat it)

watermelon! ("noina")

the broom!

reading books! (and more specifically the grinch) :)

To the love of my life...

2010-06-16T08:06:00.000-07:00

the funnest

the cutest

the very best

dad

and husband

in the whole wide world!

what are the chances of a girl like me getting a guy like you! :)

i love you so so much!

happy father's day :)

God has freely given us all things! (Romans 8:32)

"The meaning of 'He will give us all things' can be put thus: One day we will see that nothing- literally nothing- that could have increased our eternal happiness has been denied us, and that nothing- literally nothing- that could have reduced that happiness has been left with us! What higher assurance do we want than that?" J I Packer, Knowing God

Memorial Day!

2010-06-13T19:42:00.000-07:00

couldn't you just eat him up!

helping dad flip burgers :)

eating burgers... yum!

unbelievably precious!

so good!

Noah and the beach!

2010-05-14T17:56:00.000-07:00

De-dah, Noah, and the feather :)

Noah's favorite shovel!

Mmwaa! the loves of my life!

De-dah and Nana come to visit!

Watching the sun set over the beach

Noah attempting to kill dinner with his stick

Dad is a bit more excited about sushi than Noah

Sea cucumbers, however, are much more exciting :)

Learning how to swim at the pool

Mexican night

Matching camos... how precious! I'm not sure who is cuter!

The Friendly Pirate and the beach :)

2010-04-15T08:57:00.000-07:00

no, Chris is not the pirate, but doesn't he look cute with his beard! (for those of you

who disagree, don't worry, it only lasted a day) :-)

Noah and the stick!

Noah and the carrot!

my favorite two people!!

Noah is still one!!

and loving his dad!

and really happy!

i'm a big fan!

Noah's first super fun pair of sunshades!

noah, my precious pirate!

isn't he just the cutest!!

First Family Fishing Trip!!

2010-03-25T09:46:00.000-07:00

Noah watching the boys fix up the fishing lines!

laughing at dad :-)

watching the beautiful Florida sunset!

signing "please" for the fried chicken :-) ...because what's a fishing trip without fried chicken

sneaking into the fried chicken box

our first fish becomes Sushi!

Noah's first catch... who needs a fishing pole!

fork in hand, Noah is ready for a bigger fish

...checking for more meat! :-)

little 'fighter on the fork' still alive and kicking

Dad's catch! ...the one that got away :-)

our Florida family :-) the precious boys who are sharing their home with us !!

Noah's Favorite Things!!

2010-03-17T11:45:00.000-07:00

Mardi Gras Beads!

Strolling in the Park!

His Tongue!

Laughing at Dad!!

Sweeping.... the carpet :-)

his shadow!!

six o'clock! when dad gets home!

the great florida outdoors!

Dancing!

Mirrors!!

Lights!!

Eating!!

(ps...Because Noah still has a hole in his palate, he finds great joy in stuffing very large quantities of food in his mouth and letting them come out through his nose! bet you can't do that :-) )

...and because he is such a little tot (and so completely precious!!), I find a hard time telling him 'no' ... could you say 'no' to this sweet face? :-)

So Stinking Cute!!

2010-02-15T09:50:00.000-08:00

Such a Big Helper! Pushing the Buggy at Publix!!

The Favorite DOG book!!

He loves his Dad almost as much as I do.... ( no, not possible :-)

Ready for Clemson baseball!

Can't get enough of this boy!! !!

Noah and the Wine Cork.... :-)

As Cute as Ever!!!

Singing with Dad!!

Swinging with Dad!!

Firsts!

2010-01-19T06:46:00.000-08:00

okay so we haven't had the internet in a couple of months, :-) so here are some pics to catch you up on what you have missed!

First Barnyard Bash!! (compliments of Super Aunt Mandy and Bebe!!)

First One to Taste the Delicious Turkey and Dressing on Christmas!

First Bubble Bath and Loving it!!

First Fun Filled Christmas!!!

First Pair of Super Cool House Shoes!

First Birthday! and what better way to celebrate then... a Yummy Yogurt-Cottage Cheese-Blueberry Cake made just for Noah !!

First Pair of Jeans!

First Cowboy Hat!!

First Pair of Real Big Boy Shoes!

First Rocking Reindeer!

First Little Cousin, Lucy!

First Clemson Football!

First Steps! ... and he hasn't stopped since :-)

Super Noah and the Park!

2009-12-07T15:38:00.000-08:00

Dad's Birthday and other Happy Moments !

2009-10-19T12:05:00.000-07:00

Dad is getting so old !

... but mom is still as young as ever :-)

yes, Stephanie, that is the same newborn Clemson shirt you gave him when he was born (that he wore home from the hospital 10 months ago!) little peanut :-)

not such the greatest fan of eating yet

precious boy!

Most Photographed Baby!!

2009-10-01T06:55:00.000-07:00

My new cousin Lucy!!

The Two Men in My Life :-)

9 Hour Car Trip back to Florida... is that excitement or delirium..

Horse's whiskers tickle :-)

Working on my abs

precious!

I love Tudor... and my Uncle Matt!

A lot of pictures, I know, but everything he does is so stinking cute!
I didn't know I could love a little boy this much !(besides you, Chris) !

Third Trip to the O.R. !!

2009-09-30T14:45:00.000-07:00

Nap Time? Really?

2009-08-25T12:51:00.000-07:00

Maybe we should call it something else...

Gone Fishing!

2009-08-17T16:34:00.000-07:00

Bebe and PopPop come to visit!

2009-08-13T18:24:00.001-07:00

and somehow I don't have any pictures...

Growin up!

2009-08-12T16:24:00.000-07:00

my little doctor!

playing in the waves!

My Little Baby...

2009-08-06T19:13:00.000-07:00

Nanna and Poppa come to visit!

2009-07-10T13:27:00.001-07:00

My first meal- squash! Look how happy I am!

Fishing on the dock with my sweetheart!

I love my Nanna and Poppa!

Just Hangin' Out!

2009-07-07T13:19:00.001-07:00

Yumm!

La Playa!

Dad teaching me to surf!

Noah on the Gulf side...

2009-06-29T11:33:00.000-07:00

Happy to be with PopPop!

Best buds!!!

Mmmmm dinner~ Almost as tall as me!

Rollin big....

Noah goes to Florida!

2009-06-17T12:48:00.001-07:00

Sweet man~

2009-05-20T10:45:00.001-07:00

My New Lip!

2009-05-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

But how could they ever get upset with this little face?

I am contemplating very deep things as I lay here in my crib... not just thinking of a plan to get my hands unswaddled so I can suck on my fingers... uh oh I think I just got caught! :)

I am so grateful for all those people who have been praying for me this whole time. When I am too small and too weak to pray, you have lifted me up. You can see how small I am so you must know that I have a very big God. Because little people can only endure big things when God is their strength.

I am about to go into surgery, and I feel pretty brave. My parents tell me that is because so many of God's children are praying for me right now! I know it is going to hurt, but it will be worth it if this temporary struggle makes me (and my parents) look a little bit more like our real Dad in heaven.

Dad and I are celebrating my four month birthday! I want to grow up to be just like him! Maybe I love him so much because he reminds me of my real Dad in heaven, the One who looks after me day and night, sustains me, and has a big plan for my life. Tomorrow I will get my new lip. I'm not excited about it now, but it will be worth it if with my new lip I'll look a little more like my dad.

One Week Until Surgery!!

2009-04-26T13:06:00.000-07:00

...while visions of those Clemson Tigers dance in my head !!

I can't wait to go surfing with my dad!

Sweet little Tiger!

just chillin on my boppy!

In Savannah for my first wedding!!

Don't I look cute?

My first Easter!!

Sunday afternoon, just hangin out with mom

Baby dedication Sunday!

Isn't dad handsome?

Look how big I'm getting!!

My new NAM!

2009-03-09T18:32:00.001-07:00

Catchin some rays with mom and dad! After getting theses wires attached to my nose I was pretty worn out, and I needed some time to relax...

Awe!! He loves his momma!!

Hangin out in the bumbo! MOOO!

Chillin with the fams!

Training him up early...Go Tigers!

God gives and takes away. Blessed be His Name

2009-01-24T08:58:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much for all of your prayers.

We feel each one. Our hope is in Christ Jesus so we look forward to heaven and thank God for every day He gave us with Daniel.

I love you so much my little Daniel, my sweet lamb.

Noah gets his NAM!!

2009-01-16T12:03:00.000-08:00

Noah got his NAM today and boy does he look sharp in it! NAM stands for nasoalveolar molding. It is an appliance that molds the hard and soft tissues of his lips and mouth into a better position for surgical correction to be performed later. Amy and Noah were at the prosthodontists office for several hours in order to get this thing in and adjusted correctly. Noah is handling the NAM better than we expected and he actually seems to feed better with it in. He will wear this appliance 24/7 for at least 3-4 months before he has his first surgery to correct his lip. We only take it out once a day to clean it and clean his mouth and that is not a fun experience for him!

Big yawn!

"I'm not sure about this thing..."

Tuckered out from a long.... day.

This is the NAM. It looks like a baby denture

with two beads on the front that allow us to

attach rubber bands and tape.