Fall is in the Air...

We went to one of our local metro parks this past weekend and had such a lovely time. It was so cool and crisp and with every crunch in the leaves my heart got a little more excited for Fall. I took a few pictures of the boys in their element... Enjoy!

Down by the Pond...

The Strong Willed Son

My youngest son and I just spent well over 35 minutes in "negotiations" over one blue pillow and one twin sized down comforter-aka: the blanky. Allow me to set the scene for you...

In the left corner weighing 27 pounds, the strong-willed, blonde-headed 2 year old.

And in the other corner weighing...ummm-none of your business..., the also strong willed, also blonde-headed...Mom.

The most dreaded...the most feared time of all...Naptime.

Little one was asked to get into his bed. To lay his head on his pillow. To pull his all-time favorite twin-sized down comforter up around his little sweet warm belly.

Little one would have nothing to do with obedience. Nothing.

Begin..."negotiations".

35 mintues later- Little one has acquiesced to mom's authority, but his heart is not happy.

Mom has to leave the room for a moment to deal with older brother, but desires to return quickly to assure that there is a happy-hearted obedient son ready to sail into nappy time.

Mom returns to the bedroom to find little one asleep. With his head on the pillow. And his blanky pulled up around him...

On the FLOOR.

My little Legalist.

Just Peachy

On Sunday after church my oldest son and I were sitting at the table together. He began to share with me the highlights of his classroom time that evening. All of a sudden he grew very excited as he related that he had a brand new friend! And I quote... "Mommy, I have a new friend! She is really nice." Long pause as he ponders his next statement and then says with all the sincerity he can muster ... "And, she's not peach like me... more of a pretty yellow!"

Yes, my son, diversity is a wonderful thing!

I've Fired the Babysitter...Again

A while back I posted about my decision to "fire the babysitter"; aka the television. My children (and myself) had become too attached to it and frankly, it had to go. We hardly ever watched 'commercial' television, as it was mostly the occasional PBS broadcast and a plethora of well chosen children's education videos. In essence, nothing was 'wrong' or evil about the shows...it was just our level of dependence on TV time.

(Allow me to interject early on and say that I do NOT believe that watching television is a sin. There is nothing sinful about the act of turning on the TV. Many families enjoy watching wholesome programs occasionally that they can laugh and relate to. That is great! It can, however, turn quickly into a sin issue in a myriad of ways- this is what we must be very careful to avoid. For example: What are you watching? Is the subject matter deadening your conscience? (violence, murder, adultery, lust ) How much time are you giving to it? Is it keeping you from your duties as a mother, father, husband or wife? We must be so careful that any one area doesn't consume us or keep us from communion with Christ.)

Well, as it happens with many good resolutions after time...this one soon was broken in our household. It all started out well and good, you understand. No shows ever. Well, shows only on the weekends. Well, shows before daddy comes home so mommy doesn't pull out her hair trying to prepare dinner. Well, shows when mommy gets a shower so that no one hurts each other during that ten minute interval. Wait! Ah! The blog post! Okay, no shows ever. Well, mommy will watch them why you are napping. Get back in bed! Mommy is watching TV! You get the gist...

So, back it came...creeping into our lives once again. The Holy Spirit began to convict me that I was falling back into the same temptations once again. My idea to eradicate television from our lifestyle was fine, except it wasn't well thought out. I had replaced that "time" in our day with... absolutely nothing. It came back, slowly and surely, because there was nothing there to fill the void.

I have been reading an excellent book by Steve & Teri Maxwell, "Keeping Our Child's Hearts: Our Vital Priority". There are two major points that I would like to point out in the area of entertainment that they brought up in their book. First, 'what appetites and desires are we instilling in our children'? Are they overwhelmed with the unsatisfying thirst for entertainment and filling their pastimes with 'self' promotion? Secondly, 'if our hearts' desire as parents is to train our children to love and serve others as Christ did, how is our daily lifestyle reflecting that vision'?

It became very clear to me that although my initial idea of 'pulling the plug' may have been a valid one, it came with no conviction to do it for their eternal good. I had to really think about what appetites I was allowing in my little one's hearts. What they were hungering for was an endless need of self gratification through entertainment

Think about the years before technology had given us television, video games, computers, cell phones, ipods, etc... what did they do all day? I love hearing stories from those folks who lived 'back in the day' and all the wonderful things they did as children! That does not have to be lost! (Please don't get me wrong- I think that technology, science, and progression all have their place in our society...God gave mankind the creative powers to think, invent and imagine!)

So, I've fired the babysitter...again. Our entire family has donned the challenge of keeping the TV off and finding other, more beneficial, things to occupy our time. We have replaced the 'void' with activities that promote service to others, mommy & me devotions in Proverbs, reading- lots of it with each other and by themselves. I have a series of books- "Grandma's attic" that I read back in elementary school. They are about 150 pages each of a grandma retelling her granddaughter stories of her life as a child in the late 1800's/ early 1900's. My boys drool over them...quite literally! We've almost finished our second one...seriously my 2 & 4 year old snuggled up on the couch with a picture-free book! Of course, I have to do all the voices. :) They have such a wonderful Biblical message that weaves throughout all the stories! Check them out if you have never read them. My hubby even enjoys them!

One last encouraging example that this can work to your family's benefit... the other afternoon the boys were playing in the family room and I was making bread in the kitchen. I sat down to work on the menu plan for the week and noticed it was strangely quiet in the other room. (My boys are VERY lively...) I peeked my head around, thinking they must be into trouble. They were reading to each other! I couldn't believe it! I turned off the radio in the kitchen to allow for some quiet time. I prepared a snack for them at the table and continued my work. A few minutes later they both brought their books and sat at the table with me in almost a complete silence as they read for almost 30 MINUTES! I almost checked 'em for fevers.

So, does this mean that we are selling our television and moving to Amish country? Not quite, but I pray that my desire to dwell on "Whatsoever Is...."(Phil. 4:8) would be the primary focus in this house!

Love you all, dear bloggy friends! Have a wonderful week!

Angelena

For Sarah

I am about to expose myself here in this post for the mother I truly am. *smile* The other night some great friends invited us over for dinner. Late in the evening we noticed the the kids were just a little too quiet in the kitchen. We looked around the corner and found them all sitting at the table painting with watercolors! My boys were especially enjoying it and loving the creativity!

I exclaimed, "Wow! They've never painted before with real paints!" (Granted, they have all kinds of 'mess free' paints, markers, crayons, glue, etc.- but it's never occurred to me to buy real paint...don't ask me why.)

My friend turns to me with absolute shock on her face. "You've never let them paint before?"

All of a sudden I felt like the A+ homeschooling mother of the year award was completely in my grasp. We began to laugh heartily as I admitted that we didn't even own watercolors!

So, the next morning- bright and early- the boys and I headed to Wallyworld (Wal*mart) and purchased a whopping total of $7.00 for paints and accessories. That was five days ago... besides daily chores, devotions, meal times and the occasional free-play... you will find my boys around the kitchen table with the much coveted paints. Enjoy the pictures!

Grandma & The Boyz

My mom (grandma) loves singing and playing the piano with the boys! This is from my cell phone video- so it's not super clear, but you get the gist! My youngest was having a blast and really gets into it! It may start out a little loud- so prepare your volume! (Also, don't forget to pause the sonific while you listen!) Enjoy!

A Miracle!

Last night our family went to the communion service at our church. We arrived exactly at 6pm because we were running a little behind. Our oldest son has Awana on Sunday evenings which he absolutely loves- so he went on his way with daddy to his class. Although our youngest sits with us during the morning family worship service and some in the evening Bible study class- tonight the worship was to be held in the main sanctuary, so we decided to put him in a toddler class. Unfortunately, they were completely filled and unable to take him.

So, off to the main sanctuary we went with little one in tow. There was at least three to four hundred people in the service (maybe more) and our little guy was one among three other children that I saw in the service. I was so nervous because we hadn't brought his bag inside! I began to pray that the Lord would intervene and he would sit without making a sound! I continued to pray throughout and encouraged husband to do the same. I wanted us to be together as a family, but didn't want to be a distraction to those around us during such a sensitive and intimate service.

Truly, by a miracle of the Lord- he lasted almost one hour! He sat quietly on the pew next to me or in my lap and was silent! My two year old?! If you know him- you know this is a miracle. Understand, he is not a badly behaved child, but is very talkative and is constantly on the move.

Well, after an hour I dismissed myself with him to the family worship area that had just been opened up and sat with some friends for the following hour as we watched the service together. I had the most wonderful time of communion with my little one as I explained why I was doing what I did and what Jesus had done for us. He seemed to drink it in and even prayed with me- so cute- bowing his head with little eyes closed...hands in mine and muttering along under his breath. My heart just about melted.

Praise Him! I am so thankful that we had such a special evening and wanted to share with the rest of you, indeed, how great is our God!

**On a side note I must mention.... on our way out the door, my oldest son accidentally pulled the fire alarm and set off all the sirens. There was still quite a bit of people inside and let me tell you now... my kid really knows how to clear a room!

Happy 100th Posting! Thank you all for your wonderful comments and welcoming me into the community! I look forward to 100's more!

My Cuties!

It's been a while since I had a chance to post some pictures of the boys "just because"- so here they are! I am so grateful to those of you that have been praying for the health of our family. We are finally on the mend and enjoying daily life once again! Enjoy the pics!

My youngest loves playing with his firetruck! I'm surprised he's not wearing the hat!

"Oh, mommy...it's been such a long day"

Yes, I totally bribed him to take this picture. (Smile kid or you don't get lunch! *just kiddin'*) Can you tell it's just a tad staged?

This is my baseball boy. He still sleeps with his glove under his pillow some nights. Can't imagine that would be comfortable...

The Daily Memory Agenda

DAILY MEMORIZATION REGIMENT

I am trying to get more organized when it comes to our memorization on a daily basis. The boys have responded well to early 'memory time' right after breakfast. I was challenged after my quiet time in scripture this morning to add more and more scripture for their hearts to feast on all day long. Some of the following items they already know, but some are new!

1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
   
2. EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
   
3. THE LORD'S PRAYER
   
4. SCRIPTURE VERSES
5. ALPHABET
6. NUMBERS: 1-20
7. ADDRESS
8. PHONE NUMBER
9. CITY
10. STATE
11. STATE BIRD & MOTTO
    
12. OLD TESTAMENT: BOOKS OF THE BIBLE
13. ROMANS ROAD

ROMANS ROAD

Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

Romans 6:23a "...The wages of sin is death..."

Romans 6:23b "...But the gift of God is eternal

life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Romans 5:8, "God demonstrates His own love for us, in

that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!"

Romans 10:13 "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved!"

Romans 10:9,10 "...If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."

,

Revelation 3:20a "Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him..."

LORDS PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory. for ever and ever. Amen
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your Kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours.
Now and for ever. Amen

SCRIPTURE VERSES

1. JOHN 3:16 & 17"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,^[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

2. GALATIANS 5:22 & 23” But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

3. GENESIS 1:1 “In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth”

4. PSALM 1: 1 & 2 ” Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. “

4. PHILLIPPIANS 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

5. 2 TIMOTHY 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Happy Monday!

Here are some fun pictures of my little guy!

Loving book time!

Big smile...bigger book!

"Look at my new underoos, ma!"

Potty training week in the "D" household!