"If we're too busy for devotions, we're too busy."
'Nuff said.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Just thinkin'...
Just thinkin' about goals, about what we want our children to be, about what we think is important in the child-rearing process, about what the Lord has impressed upon us to do with them and this came to mind.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Strength
Psalm 27:1..."The Lord is the strength of my life"...
It's simple. It's basic, but it's a much-needed reminder for me... someone who tends toward self-sufficiency at times. The Lord is the strength of my life. Discipline is not the strength of my life. High ideals is not the strength of my life. Good parenting is not the strength of my life. "Me time" is not the strength of my life. The Lord is the strength of my life. It's a completely different focus. Not me, not my efforts... the Lord.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Betty Crocker speaks
My week was barely started. I still sat in bed with our sweet baby and my Kindle. I checked my email to find a note from a good friend of mine that I like to call, "Betty Crocker." (http://dominiquespeaks.blogspot.com/2012/10/betty-crocker.html)
It stated that she was praying for me for grace and strength for the day. I was glad for it, but everything seemed even keel. Then, I got up. By 9:30 am, Sweet Pea was on her third outfit and THEN, I spent the rest of the morning on the phone battling with the insurance company... AND, trying to make three Blossoms behave during the phone calls. By afternoon, I emailed Betty Crocker back and said that she was right on! I needed her prayers and I was SO thankful for them. The Holy Spirit must have prompted her to pray for me. Later that week, she followed up with this email and I thought that all my Mommy friends out there would enjoy it. She gave me permission to share. So laugh on and lean on grace!
Hello!
Here's hoping your week calmed down to a dull roar and it did not continue like some of my "special" weeks from days of my little ones afoot. Well, they are still afoot somewhat- just bigger feet!
Some things I hope did not happen to you this week: Post-4 th child:
I hope that none of them hung out of their crib with their little legs grasping the railing and single/ handedly tore the wallpaper off half the room without leaving her crib, greeting you with a contagious grin as you happened upon her joyful redecorating activity.
I hope that none of them had a stomach virus and threw up all over the shag carpeting all night until you ran out of sheets that led to you weeping softly In the night.
And, I really hope, any child in diapers never, ever decides they are suddenly Picasso himself on the wall of their room using the contents of said diaper.
I miss those crazy yet simple days with my wee ones.
So here's to days of motherhood where we must always keep a sense of humor. I believe it is a blessing of God to laugh!
Love,
Betty Crocker
It stated that she was praying for me for grace and strength for the day. I was glad for it, but everything seemed even keel. Then, I got up. By 9:30 am, Sweet Pea was on her third outfit and THEN, I spent the rest of the morning on the phone battling with the insurance company... AND, trying to make three Blossoms behave during the phone calls. By afternoon, I emailed Betty Crocker back and said that she was right on! I needed her prayers and I was SO thankful for them. The Holy Spirit must have prompted her to pray for me. Later that week, she followed up with this email and I thought that all my Mommy friends out there would enjoy it. She gave me permission to share. So laugh on and lean on grace!
Hello!
Here's hoping your week calmed down to a dull roar and it did not continue like some of my "special" weeks from days of my little ones afoot. Well, they are still afoot somewhat- just bigger feet!
Some things I hope did not happen to you this week: Post-4 th child:
I hope that none of them hung out of their crib with their little legs grasping the railing and single/ handedly tore the wallpaper off half the room without leaving her crib, greeting you with a contagious grin as you happened upon her joyful redecorating activity.
I hope that none of them had a stomach virus and threw up all over the shag carpeting all night until you ran out of sheets that led to you weeping softly In the night.
And, I really hope, any child in diapers never, ever decides they are suddenly Picasso himself on the wall of their room using the contents of said diaper.
I miss those crazy yet simple days with my wee ones.
So here's to days of motherhood where we must always keep a sense of humor. I believe it is a blessing of God to laugh!
Love,
Betty Crocker
Monday, June 17, 2013
A Wooden Spoon - not just for spanking
People have been asking me lately, "So, has Skipper shown any signs of being jealous of Sweet Pea?" I can whole-heartedly say, "Nope, not a bit. She's tickled pink with her. And, she's Sweet Pea's biggest fan." As my husband says, "There's enough love to go around here." I totally agree with him. We've got love comin' out of our ears! :)
Seriously though, I really think that seeking to include your other children helps them not to feel left out. I try my hardest not to push them away when I'm nursing Sweet Pea. They want to gawk and ooooh and aaaahhh over her and stroke her cheek and cuddle with Mommy and hang on Mommy or have a story read. Even though I usually look at nursing as my little Mommy R&R time, I try to include them anyway (regardless of how I feel). Sometimes I have to take a deep breath, close my eyes and use the willpower God gave me. I'm just being honest with you. Motherhood is not for the faint-hearted. Additionally, I try to include the Blossoms at other times - diapering, bathtimes, cooking, etc. It isn't always convenient. Sometimes, Mommy is in a hurry. Mommy would love to just focus on one thing. Or, Mommy needs to get something down quickly, but I keep trying every day to keep including them, all of them, especially Skipper. So, something as simple as stirring the soup, can keep a little one in our Circle of Love, all happy and warm and fuzzy inside.
Seriously though, I really think that seeking to include your other children helps them not to feel left out. I try my hardest not to push them away when I'm nursing Sweet Pea. They want to gawk and ooooh and aaaahhh over her and stroke her cheek and cuddle with Mommy and hang on Mommy or have a story read. Even though I usually look at nursing as my little Mommy R&R time, I try to include them anyway (regardless of how I feel). Sometimes I have to take a deep breath, close my eyes and use the willpower God gave me. I'm just being honest with you. Motherhood is not for the faint-hearted. Additionally, I try to include the Blossoms at other times - diapering, bathtimes, cooking, etc. It isn't always convenient. Sometimes, Mommy is in a hurry. Mommy would love to just focus on one thing. Or, Mommy needs to get something down quickly, but I keep trying every day to keep including them, all of them, especially Skipper. So, something as simple as stirring the soup, can keep a little one in our Circle of Love, all happy and warm and fuzzy inside.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Surviving Poison Ivy
I've experienced the horrors of Poison Ivy numerous times in my life. And, being that I recently experience its awfulness again, I'd like to share a few tips for surviving it.
#1 - Always itch at night.
No one can scold you that way. Honestly, if they knew how itchy it was, they wouldn't say, "Don't scratch." Reality check. If it itches, scratch it! Deal with the repercussions later.
#2 - Have a great story.
The first question is always, "How did you get it?" And, answers like "Weeding" or "Hiking" are just too standard or boring. I mean, most people know how you got it already - you touched Poison something or other and VOILA, you now itch like crazy and are ready to exterminate every green thing that has "leaves of three" on this planet. When I was a teenager, I got a really bad case of it right before going to gymnastics camp. That didn't stop me. I only waited my entire childhood to go there, so I was practicing as usual and packing my bags. The problem is that tumbling requires being upside down and that means all the blood rushes to your head. Then, the rash that is on your face (but finally starting to heal), turns purple for the duration of gymnastics practice. By the end of the first day of camp, I was so tired of answering, "What happened to your face?" One coach advised me to say, "You should see the other guy!" I decided then and there that a good story is entirely necessary.
#3 - Whenever possible, swell.
Yes, swelling is uncomfortable, but it really helps you get extra pity points. After all, if your face resembles the Hunchback of Notre Dame's face, people will actually feel more sorry for you than just watching you writhe around and sit on your hands in attempts not to scratch that blasted stuff.
If you have it, I pity you. I'll draw an oatmeal bath for you myself and have a bottle of Calamine lotion delivered to your doorstep tomorrow.
#1 - Always itch at night.
No one can scold you that way. Honestly, if they knew how itchy it was, they wouldn't say, "Don't scratch." Reality check. If it itches, scratch it! Deal with the repercussions later.
#2 - Have a great story.
The first question is always, "How did you get it?" And, answers like "Weeding" or "Hiking" are just too standard or boring. I mean, most people know how you got it already - you touched Poison something or other and VOILA, you now itch like crazy and are ready to exterminate every green thing that has "leaves of three" on this planet. When I was a teenager, I got a really bad case of it right before going to gymnastics camp. That didn't stop me. I only waited my entire childhood to go there, so I was practicing as usual and packing my bags. The problem is that tumbling requires being upside down and that means all the blood rushes to your head. Then, the rash that is on your face (but finally starting to heal), turns purple for the duration of gymnastics practice. By the end of the first day of camp, I was so tired of answering, "What happened to your face?" One coach advised me to say, "You should see the other guy!" I decided then and there that a good story is entirely necessary.
#3 - Whenever possible, swell.
Yes, swelling is uncomfortable, but it really helps you get extra pity points. After all, if your face resembles the Hunchback of Notre Dame's face, people will actually feel more sorry for you than just watching you writhe around and sit on your hands in attempts not to scratch that blasted stuff.
If you have it, I pity you. I'll draw an oatmeal bath for you myself and have a bottle of Calamine lotion delivered to your doorstep tomorrow.
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