Weekend update

After 3+ years outside the "workplace" I can admit that I was less than sympathetic with people who complained about having too much to do on the weekend. (Hey - don't judge me, I'm coming clean!!)  For me, Monday-Saturday the days pretty much run together, and Sunday is the busiest day of the week.

Until recently.  After working 9-5 everyday last week (in addition to home-improvement insanity) I was looking forward to the weekend like none I can remember! By Wednesday!

Saturday was nice.  We spent the day as a family, running errands that I would normally have done during the week.  That might not sound fun, but when we don't have something specific to do, we lay around the house bored or all do our own little things to pass the time.  Hitting "Target" or the supermarket is quite the adventure for a little kid - did I mention Emma is a champion on an escalator?!!

Sunday we did church, as usual.  Can you sense a kind of dull monotony to my tone there?  NO!! Because we love church!!  Sure, sleeping in might sound good, but it never actually gives you the boost of energy you want, or a purpose for your time.  Church does.  Haven't tried it?  Let me know and I'd love to bring you along!!

In the evening we were hanging out with friends. What started with a BBQ and sprinkler fun for kids, ended up with a rough game of kickball - Toby, Scott and little Jeremy all had bloody wounds and I hurt my foot!  You know I don't particularly like to be outside - absolutely never on grass!!  However, a good game with friends (on some man-made surface) is great fun!

Monday we had a barbecue with our church ministry team.  Hectic preparation in the morning, but great time and totally worth it! 

And today - back to work, tired and missing the kids!!  I have a new found appreciation for the weekend and why many people are fiercely protective of it. 

However, I also know that if work is not your life long passion or purpose, that the weekend is the time to pour yourself into something that does bring purpose to your life.  Time is like money, in that you can refuse to spend it, however it does not keep and you can not save it. 

A big thanks to Meredith for giving Emma this great doll house. This
will be quite the fun house!!

...for everyone!!!

This was the only way Scott could keep Toby from getting in his way!!

Quote of the Day:

Emma, wearing my sunglasses, asked "How do I look?"

I responded "super cool".

Emma came back with "No, I look scandalous!"

I'm not kidding! I didn't even understand what she said, but Scott did and Emma confirmed it.

Work it!!

I know you've been dying to know how my taste of the corporate world has been going, and I won't keep you waiting any longer!

I worked a few days last week (no more than two consecutive days) and every day this week. As you might imagine, I've made a few discoveries along the way!

First, I have to give a ton of credit to mothers who work full-time. Regardless of if it's by choice or necessity, I can't imagine it's easy to miss so much of your little ones' time. (Once they hit school it might be a different story!)

For me, the moments we have together before we leave the house at 8am (and they are mere moments, since I try and let the kids sleep as much as possible), and when I finally arrive home around 6pm, they are precious.

Unfortunately, they have not all been as idyllic as I would intend! Good intentions of spending quality time with the kids has been sidetracked by household responsibilities (no matter how hard I try to ignore them), but on a more personal level - fatigue!! I am so very tired.

Typing this posting is my way of switching things up so I don't fall asleep at my [reception] desk! In fact, I just spent over $2 for a Red Bull (you know it kills me to pay that!!).

Despite failing miserably to focus my free-time on enjoying the kids, I am very much looking forward to returning to the freedom of staying home. It took me a long time to start utilizing the gift of being unemployed, but I was, and moreso than ever, will take full advantage again!

You would be forgiven, based on these comments, for thinking I was miserable at work. Not the case, at all! I am really enjoying the change of scene, pace and conversation. It's great to spend time with the people who have known me the longest in the US. (And for some reason, they still like me!!)

The first day, and increasingly every day since, it has felt like I never stopped working. The 3 1/2 years I was not here evaporated like the morning dew. Things are not exactly the same, there are some new faces in the office, and I am different.

Without a shadow of a doubt, I know I would not want to work full-time right now. (Though I would if I needed too!). As for part-time, that could be a great compromise! We'll have to wait and see what happens in the future.

As for the kids, I can't believe how well they've adapted - though I should not be surprised! Emma gets a little upset when I leave them at Christina's, but I get the "she's fine now" text before I've even made it around the corner. Toby, the one I thought would be upset, is not bothered. He loves being with the boys and both Emma and Toby LOVE Penny the dog!

Emma's biggest thrill is going in her pink car seat (our spare) and going in Daddy's car, when Scott picks them up around 4pm!

For a few years now, Sunday has been the only day with a different schedule - Scott is off, and we go to church. Each day was much the same as the day before. But now I am so looking forward to the whole weekend - 3 days off no less, this week!

With less than two weeks until my parents come to visit, and the painting now complete, I doubt I'll get much rest, but have fun nonetheless putting the house back together. Pictures of the finished decorating will be coming soon, but in the meantime I'll just say that the painters did a fabulous job of enhancing Scotts handiwork.

Behold

This morning Emma wanted to wear a dress. It was 70f at 6am, so I had no reason not to agree to the coolest of clothing options. When she walked into Christina's house Christina said "You look beautiful Em." Emma replied with "I'm wearing a dress!"

Whenever she asks us "How do I look?" we mostly respond with "beautiful." We are not exaggerating or flattering. It's the absolute truth, because "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." No matter how Emma looks or behaves, she is beautiful, and I will do my level best to make sure that she grows up knowing that she is. (Toby too, but I have to find a more boy-appropriate word! Handsome doesn't cut it!)

In turn, that is how Emma sees the world, with awe and extravagant praise. Dandelions are on a par with roses, any dress or jewelery is princess-worthy! If Emma likes the way something looks she'll often call it beautiful. "Beautiful" is a word Emma uses a lot, because she hears it a lot.

I was thinking about that on my drive to work this morning. (That's the great thing about commuting - yes, there are bonuses, like thought time!)

When was the last time someone told you you looked beautiful, or better yet "you are beautiful"? How did that make you feel? How would it make you feel if someone said that to you?

When was the last time you declared something or someone "beautiful"? I'm not talking about "pretty", "cute", "attractive" or any other physical description. "Beautiful" speaks to the soul, the core of a person, longing for affirmation. It's more than looks, it's saying "you're special."

We are very tight-fisted with the distinction of beauty, reserving it only for the most extreme case of "beauty" that we see, perceived perfection. It's so often only applied to the physical, outward appearance of things and people. In fact, it's almost like true beauty is unattainable. Like when you have to score something out of 10, you only ever put a 9 because 10 is perfection and nothing is perfect!

I'm starting to realize though that seeing beauty is a choice. Not only attainable, but readily available. Instead of allowing our culture, media or prejudices decide what is or isn't beautiful, it is our personal choice to decide. It may be a view that no one else shares, but beauty has as much to do with what is going on inside us as the things we find beautiful. If "beauty comes from within", and "is in the eye of the beholder" maybe it's as much about what's within the beholder as much as the beholden!

If you don't feel beautiful inside (and by beautiful I mean loved, special, secure, valued, worthy) it's hard to appreciate the beauty in something else. We are so quick to be critical when we feel criticized, and the cycle goes on!

When you confirm beauty in someone else it is a gift. We cling to the negative things we hear constantly, but "you are beautiful" can cut through it like a knife, allowing us to believe, for however long we choose, that we are beautiful.

Take some time today, tomorrow, whenever, to look for beauty in someone else. Maybe let them know. Chances are they'll respond to you in a better way too.

I don't know, this might all just be froo-froo nonsense - musings of a mad woman!!! Can't hurt though, right?

Scott just sent me these pictures of the (almost) finished paint job.
I can't wait to get home and see it!!!

With the painters taking a few days to finish (hopefully today is the
last) we've been trying to stay out until the kids bedtime. Monday we
went over to Nanna's (above) and should be doing the same tonight.

Tomorrow we should be able to put everything back in it's place!
Until then we are kind of loving the big TV and digital cable in the
bedroom - no trying to read a baseball score on the tiny TV.

Everything is a compromise!!

It Stinks

This morning we woke up to a noxious odor filling the bedroom. I know what you're thinking, but it wasn't!!

This is not the first time the nasty, pervasive smell of a skunk has penetrated the house. One night I woke up in the middle of the night and was compelled to look around inside for the source of the smell!

We had all the windows closed, except Toby's, and I haven't been to see if it's strongest in there.

It has obscured the smell of paint that lingered from Monday, and I'm sure the paint smell will return as they finish off today. We were able to keep the smell out of the bedrooms by having the windows open and doors closed.

This is one of those things that reminds me I'm living in a foreign country!! I never encountered skunks (animal or odor) in the UK and I am not even sure if they live there! Other "exotic" animals are raccoons, groundhogs and many other rodents considered vermin here, I had only seen in a zoo in the UK!

It's funny how pests to one person can be fascinating to another.

Catch Your Children Doing Good Things by Doug Fields

If you've ever heard your kids repeating something you've yelled at them, you know that words last. In fact the words we say to our kids can be remembered for the rest of our lives, and most likely it's the negative things that hang on. Think back - how quickly can you recall a criticism from your parents. How about a complement?

Check out the following devotional that I got today...

“The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives.” Proverbs 12:6 (NLT)

I like to be around people who like me. I’m guessing you do, too. It’s human nature to avoid people who regularly criticize you. If you’re consistently on your kids’ case, they’ll be conditioned to avoid you. You don’t want that.

The words you use to your kids matter. The Bible has a lot to say about the words we speak. Proverbs 12:6 says, “The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives.” (NLT) Your words are life-giving to your kids. They are powerful and memorable.

So how do you use those powerful and memorable words in a way that most effectively affirms your children? Start by going beyond the four A’s that most kids get affirmed for in our culture -- appearance, athletics, academics, and the arts. You and I both know that a person can be a brilliant, artsy, good-looking athlete and be an awful human being. We need to go deeper than that.

Instead, we need to affirm our kids for the character qualities they demonstrate and the appropriate behavior they show. Be specific when you do this.

For example:

• “I was really proud of the way you handled that situation.”

• “I was amazed at how patient you were with your little brother.”

• “I’m so grateful for how kind you were to your mom – and you did that without her even having to ask you!”

No one in the world has as much influence over your kids as you do – not the media, not peers, and not other adults. You can make an enormous difference in the lives of your kids just by affirming their good qualities and good behavior.

You can do this. Catch them in the act of doing great things because they are doing great things. You just need to make a point of catching them when they do.

Sleepover

And this is my little girl - the one that's afraid of dogs!!

Caged

Christina sent me this picture!

Apparently she sent the kids upstairs ahead of her for naptime and
this is what she found!!

Toby is always messing with dog cages when we are at peoples houses!

But I'm thinking this could work for time out

A Mission You Need to Accept by Rick Warren

“In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.” John 17:18 (MSG)

Did you know that God made you for a specific life message that he wants to you to share with the world? This is something we need to teach our children so that they know God has given them both a common message and one that is unique to them. The message we have in common with everyone else is telling people about Jesus. The unique part is based on each person’s unique shape – their background and experiences, both good and bad.

God has a purpose for the hurts you’ve gone through. He wants you to use them to help others –

• Who better to help someone struggling with alcoholism than someone who has fought that battle?
• Who better to help someone with a special needs child than a parent with a special needs child?
• Who better to support someone in the middle of a failing marriage than someone who experienced the pain of a marriage that fell apart?
• Who better to offer hope to a child who feels unworthy in school than someone who grew up feeling unworthy in school?

God wants to use the very things you are most embarrassed or ashamed of to encourage other people. While we think we encourage other people with our strength, it’s often those things we want to keep hidden that speak to them. They can relate and find hope when they see how God has brought you through those times of trial and used you in spite of your weaknesses.

What will be your life mission? Your life mission is telling other how Jesus helped you overcome the challenges of your life. The good news of the Gospel is as simple as letting people know salvation is a free gift; that you don’t have to earn your way to heaven. It’s telling people how God wants them to live forever with him and that everything they’ve ever done wrong can be erased by God’s grace.

“Through Christ, God has made peace between us and himself and God gave us the work of telling everyone about the peace we can have with God” (2 Corinthians 5:18 NCV).

No one else can share your unique life message. And if you don’t share it, it will never be heard.

Movie

Last night Scott and I went to see "Bridesmaids." I loved the trailer and when a guy on Scott's job assured him it was hilarious, he was up for going with me.

We haven't been to see a movie in a really long time (at $11 pp it's no wonder!). We went to the same theater we went to on our first date over 7 years ago, and got roughly the same seats!!

The room was packed, not an open seat anywhere, and it should have been. The movie was hilarious and we didn't stop laughing, even when it was sad (when I also shed a tear or two!).

There is a lot of cursing and the like in it, but if you can overlook that it was just plain funny. And Scott agrees - he was cracking up the whole time.

Happy Anniversary

Today if the 5th anniversary of the happiest day of my life! No kidding - somehow, it has been 5 years since Scott and I got married. Our wedding was perfect and it is so great to look back on it with such joy. (So much so that I have pictures around the house to remind me!!)

When I think back to that first year of marriage, before we bought the house or got pregnant, (I guess just six months into it then!), I had so many expectations.

One that makes me smile is I was sure that after 5 years we'd be ready for a second honeymoon (true), and that we'd easily go back to Cancun! I probably also assumed we would take vacations regularly and have plenty of cash.

The reality is a little different. Instead, we will likely go for dinner and a movie (dying to see "Bridesmaids") while the kids hang with Nanna and Pops. I feel a little bad about that because they've been at Christina's all day, but more on that later!

Our weekend will focus on finishing the preparation for painting the house on Monday - all but the bedrooms! Thankfully, Scott has some guys coming to take care of that while we are out of the house!!

Not quite the fancy celebration, but actually more meaningful, lasting and just as fun - I love home improvement!!

Yesterday, when I got home one of the first things Emma said to me was "We got you a present. We bought you some clothes, they're in the attic - you have to go look for them!" With the cat somewhat out the bag, Scott handed over my gift! (And no, we weren't supposed to buy gifts - and I didn't!)

It wasn't clothes, but instead Scott had had a wedding picture framed for me. At 10x20" it was not something you could easily frame off the shelf, so it's been in a cupboard for 5 years since the photographer gave it to us. Such a sweetheart!

The last 5 years have flown by, much quicker and more intense than I could have predicted. We've been through so much, some of it hard, but mostly exciting, hopeful, joyful and most importantly, all of it, together.

It's Working!

A few weeks ago Emma found her foot and by that I mean when we ask her to do something she doesn't want to, she puts her foot down!

During the day we use the easy call of threatening to turn of the TV without cooperation! I'm not sure why I haven't used Time Out more, maybe because I don't have the patience.

But in the evening, to go to bed we have seen the most major tantrums. We started simply telling her that when she played up, she would forfeit the story and songs she gets in bed before lights out.

It's had varying success, but tonight, after I declared it was bath time and told both kids to follow me upstairs I was amazed when they BOTH did! When I was helping her into her pajamas she looked up at me and said "Was I a good listener when you said it was bathtime?"

"Yes, you were. And do you know what that means?"

"Two stories!!"

Now we just have to figure out how to get through to "I laugh at your punishments" Toby!!

Choose Your Friends Wisely by Rick Warren

“Do not be fooled. Bad companions ruin good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 (TEV)

The moment your kids start going to school, you no longer have the primary influence on their life. They start to become influenced by their peer group. And the older they get, the more they look to their peers.

So, as a parent, you need to have a conversation with your children about who their companions are going to be. You need to help your kids understand the impact friends have on them and the importance of choosing good friends.

We need to encourage our children to make friends with people who will pull them up instead of drag them down. People who will encourage them and be positive influences in their lives. Because the number one factor that will determine whether they succeed or fail in life is the kind of friends they choose – friends who hold them back or friends who spur them on.

We all want to belong, no matter what our age. We are all looking for friends and connections and acceptance. We want to be a part of a fellowship. Why? Because that’s the way God wired us. The Bible says, “Since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others” (Romans 12:5 NLT).

It’s important that we teach this truth to our children, that God created us to belong to others and to need others, because our society teaches the opposite. Our culture is one of hyper-individuality where everyone is a lone ranger. We should only take care of ourselves and look out for our own interests. But this leaves children with no support and no sense of belonging. Is it any wonder depression and other emotional illnesses are on the rise?

The truth is, to live an emotionally healthy life, we need people in our lives. We need healthy, supportive relationships. We need each other. We need the belonging that comes from fellowship with other believers. That’s what the church is for.

____________________________

Is anyone else dreading the teenage, or even elementary school age?!!

Photo op

This happy family was taken at Landon 's second birthday party (Mrs
T's grandson). A smashing party as always - Mrs T knows how to do
it!!

Emma came a way with a balloon dog and Toby a large red stain on his
shirt from a lollipop!!

Weekend Update

It's really quite hard to remember what I've told you and what I haven't! Thanks to you who send me the emails saying "what about...?" that both help me to remember, and let me know that someone still cares!! ;-)

Remember the pre-school saga? Back in February we applied to register Emma for pre-school in September. Two 2 1/2 hour afternoons a week with 11 other 3-4 year olds. Sounded so simple, but was just the opposite.

After much reassurance, explanation and patience we got the call that indeed Emma would be able to attend the chosen school in September. That was at the end of April and there were a few conditions!

The first was that I would remain at the school during the sessions for the first and maybe second day. This would have been my requirement if the school had not made it!!

The second was that we would review the situation after 2 and then 4 weeks, with the school. This is apparently "standard" - whatever!! I have no problem, in fact the more involved I can be, the better.

I didn't post the good news right away because they asked us to keep it confidential until the teachers had been told. And then I just forgot!

What else? We have made no progress in getting therapy specifically for feeding (or drinking as is the need). The therapist concerned was expecting the feeding assessment team to perform a second barium swallow study.

If you're not familiar - the child sits in a wooden high chair attached to an x-ray machine, in an x-ray room and is basically forced to eat or drink something laced with barium, which shows up in the continuous x-ray.

Emma went through this a couple years ago and Scott and Melissa were in the room with her. (I think I was pregnant at the time and waited outside.) By all accounts it was traumatic for all involved, but clearly revealed that eating and drinking posed no risk to Emma. Why we would need to do it again is a reason known only to the therapist.

You might sense my impatience on this issue, and I am at the point where, after 6 months of no help, I'm starting the therapy on my own! (Go me!!)

The past two days Emma has sipped 10ml of water from an open medicine cup! Sticking with the advice, I only request it once a day and reward her with a sticker. Unfortunately today she knew the sticker was one she'd been given at the doctors office months ago!! (I hide them when she puts them down!)

She's also drinking water from an open bottle, voluntarily.

Finally, I will be back to working 9-5 in an office - but only for a couple weeks! My company (I worked there 9 1/2 years, and nowhere else, so it will always be "my company!) asked me to temp while they look for a replacement for someone.

I am very excited to go back and be a full-time "Debra" for a while! I love my kids and I feel sure that I will not consider going back to work full-time until they are in school full-time. For all the whining and complaining I do, I don't want to miss a second of my kids growing up. It's been the only downside to my current excitement! Perhaps it will rejuvenate me in my role as stay-home mum!

The summer is approaching and promises to be a hot one!

Coming soon - the before and after pictures of our home reno "project"!

Public Apology

Recently I posted a parody of Dora the Explorer from Saturday Night Live. I want to apologize if you watched it, after reviewing it again this evening - I had not realized there was some offensive language in the clip.

I should have watched the clip more carefully before posting it.

(If you didn't watch it but are curious, sorry - I took it down!)

This is Emma, pretending a bag of rusty screws is a "little tiny baby"!!

Last night Christina took our kids to one of little Jeremy's baseball games.

Apparently Emma and Aaron were enjoying riding in the back seat together!!

Then they all went back to Christina's. We have been over more this
week so the kids are comfortable when I go to work soon.

One of the things I was anxious about was their new dog. Emma is
usually a mess around dogs. Penny is very relaxed and used to kids so
she is great for Emma.

I still couldn't believe it when I saw this!!

Toby is fine with dogs, we have to restrain him from sticking his
fingers in their nose!

Quote of the Day

This ones better...

Emma was about to push herself down the slide and she said...

"here goes...here goes nothing!"

Quote of the Day

"I love this place. It makes me so happy!"

This Week on TV

This weekend I saw this message on TV. Charles Stanley delivers an awesome set of principles, that you can easily see the wisdom of, for parenting...
This Week on TV

I watched it again since and have been trying to incorporate the principles into my parenting and attitude. It has had an immediate impact on how the kids are with me.

However, I realized after our morning that Charles Stanley was probably not a stay-at-home mom!! I will continue to do my best for my kids - but I won't beat myself up on the days it doesn't all go according to plan!!

What else is there to do on a hot May day than go to the playground
(slathered in SPF 50 of course!!)

I don't know how long he'll keep the hat on, but he seems to follow Emma's lead!

Phone Pics

I finally downloaded all my phone pics, so here are the ones that didn't make it on the blog instantly!

Emma over-sees Toby crossing the yard...

Playing camping with my laundry baskets...

Hitting the target in therapy...

Cheerio chums

Diva sunglasses!

New cap

...worn the cool way

and sunglasses

Yesterday, while Toby napped, Emma went to the playground with Christina and friends...
...then went for ice-cream!!

Slalom at therapy
and back again
I had to take Toby that day - he found his own amusement!

Parenting with the Lord's Prayer: Do What's Right
by Rick Warren

“And lead us not into temptation ...” (Matthew 6:13 NIV)

It seems that oftentimes we think that God only makes requirements of us without giving us the ability or power to enable us to do it. But that’s not what the Bible says.

The Bible says that God will always give us a way to do the right thing when we are tempted to do the wrong thing. And it is so important that our children learn how to tap into God’s strength and power so they don’t go through life trying to change things by their willpower. Willpower works for the short-term, but God’s power works for the long-term.

“Lead us not into temptation …” (Matthew 6:13 NIV). Your kids are going to be tempted with the same temptations you had, do have, will have. The Bible says they are common to man; we all go through the same temptations – the lust of the flesh (pleasure), the lust of the eyes (possessions), and the pride of life.

You need to teach your children about these three basic temptations, because they are the foundation for everything our secular society builds on. I would encourage you and your children to memorize this verse: “Don’t love this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love the world, you show that you don’t really have the love of the father in you” (1 John 2:15).

God is not saying, “Don’t love people.” He wants us to love the people of this world, no matter who they are, what they’ve done, or what they believe. But he does not want us to love the world’s value system. And that value system is this, “For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving or everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world” (1 John 2:16 NLT).

So how do we teach our kids to resist temptation after they identify it? Here is God’s way out, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. And when you are tempted he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13 GNT).

So when your kids say, “Dad, Mom, I just couldn’t help it,” you can teach them that God will help them do what’s right if they will trust him.

Parenting with the Lord's Prayer: God Protects
by Rick Warren

“… but deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:13 NIV)

There is no doubt that this world is becoming increasing unsafe for our children. It is less safe for my grandkids than it was for my kids. And it was less safe for my kids than it was for me when I was growing up. And it was less safe for me than it was for my parents when they were growing up. Remember when you could go outside and play without parental supervision? Ride your bike to the park by yourself?

There are all kinds of problems, sins … wackos, and weirdos out there. And there are all kinds of ways that evil can get to your child in your own home through the Internet, television, and things on their phones like sexting.

So how do you protect your children from evil? Well, unfortunately, you can’t always control everything that happens to your kids because they’re not in your sight all the time, and they won’t be.

But the things that are out of your control are not out of God’s control. So pray! That’s why prayer is so important. You need to pray for your children every day. You need to pray with them before they go to prom and you need to pray with them before the first day of school. You need to pray, “deliver us from evil,” because God’s answer to our fear is his power. He can deliver.

Happy Mother's Day

Being a mother is both harder and more rewarding than I ever anticipated!! I couldn't convey in words just how much I love my children, but I hope to show them each and every day.

I couldn't go to church without first taking a mother's day picture with the kids!...
I love this picture - but there were 12 previous attempts before we got there!!

I remember the first time I did this, 3 years ago...

Things change so fast, and children grow even faster! This year I did not get to sleep in quite how I like - Scott took the kids downstairs and kept them amused (also blocked the stairs with the sofa!), however I could quite clearly hear [heavy-footed] Toby running around, and occasionally crashing to the floor!

I did have a splendid breakfast of white-chocolate-chip and banana pancakes. Oh yeah!

The scripture we looked at in church today was:
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Matthew 7: 24-27

Pastor Bob preached an awesome message, and I know I won't do it justice right now, so I'll just share a couple thoughts with you...

The two houses do not represent Christians and non-Christians - they both speak of those who have heard what Jesus taught. You can be a Christian and still not live according to the Word of God, and many don't. Unfortunately, when the rain and wind comes, when we get beat down, we fail to recognize that it is because our "house" was built upon the "sand"!

God's commands and Jesus instruction (one and the same!) are total wisdom, since He is the creator of life.We all recognize the importance of building a strong foundation for a house, yet many of us do not give the same consideration to our lives. And as today was Mother's Day, we mothers are also primarily responsible for laying a foundation in our kids lives.

Rain, wind and beatings are in the future for all of us in the form of trials. I know I didn't really face any big trials until I was pregnant with Emma, but I can look back at decisions I had to make throughout my life that laid a foundation of who I would become. While I thank God that he is continually strengthening and re-modeling me, I am thankful for the foundation that my parents laid within me before I knew Him.

I couldn't be prouder of Emma and Toby, and I don't take credit for them - they have something special inside! I do hope that I can teach them to trust God, obey God, and take a stand when doing those things is not the popular choice. The past 8 years of my life have taught me the importance of these things, and I still have a long way to go to put it all into action.

I hope you are having a great day, mothers, fathers - everyone!! Here's something just for the moms...
http://www.sermonspice.com/product/39231/a-very-special-mommy

Parenting with the Lord's Prayer: Forgiveness
by Tom Holladay

“Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12 NIV)

As a loving parent, you want to protect your kids and do as much for them as you can. But no matter what you do, you can’t prevent your kids from being hurt by others.

Our kids will be hurt by others because the world is full of imperfect human beings. And, as much as we don’t like it, we won’t be able to prevent our kids from hurting other people because they’re imperfect human beings as well.

Jesus has the answer: “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12 NIV).

Notice there are two sides to this. First, “forgive us our debts.” No one is perfect, all of us sin, all of us have gone down a wrong path, made wrong choices, and, as a result, we live with guilt. We’ve disappointed ourselves, and we know we’ve disappointed God.

So how do we deal with guilt? We need to teach our children that the way to deal with guilt is to recognize the forgiveness that God gives us through Jesus Christ. We can confess our sins and know that he is faithful to forgive us.

Then we need to deal with the fact that other people have hurt us, which can leave us with feelings of resentment. God’s answer to that is to replace it with his peace – and that comes from forgiving others, just as God forgave us.

We never want to see our children get hurt, but in those moments we can teach them to forgive others. We can help them understand that, if they hold onto that resentment, it will eat away at their lives like an acid. So teach them to ask for God’s peace and to offer forgiveness to the person who hurt them.

Family Fun

The other night we had some of the family over for a little barbecue and family fun...

Union break

Father and son share a quiet moment before work starts.

Parenting with the Lord's Prayer: Don't Worry
by Tom Holladay

“Give us today our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11 NIV)

In today’s society, our children have a lot to worry about. So it’s our duty to teach them how God can replace their worry with his provision.

Now our normal reaction to worry is to find a way to control the situation. That’s just our nature. We figure if we can control everything, then we’ll never have to worry. But when we try that approach, the opposite happens. We find out that we can’t control everything, so we end up worrying.

The real way to deal with worry is to pray, “Give us today our daily bread.” Praying for our “daily bread” includes everything we worry about on a daily basis – our health, our finances, our schedule, our future, all the things we have to deal with. God says, “If you want less stress in your life, then you have to relax in me and let me give you your daily bread.”

It’s important that we teach our children that it’s daily bread, not weekly or monthly. We want God to give us everything we need for the next five years, just put it in a bank account so we can see it’s there and not worry. But God doesn’t do it that way. He gives us just what we need one day at a time because he wants us to live in a daily relationship of trust in him.

So we need to teach our children three basic truths about God’s provision:

1. God can meet every need you’ll ever have because he’s God.
2. God wants to meet our needs, not our greeds, because he’s a loving father.
3. God will meet our needs as we trust in him moment-by-moment, day-by-day.

And remember parents, you need to practice what you preach!

Blue's Clues

This is Toby's favorite show...

Work in Progress

The renovations are moving much faster than I anticipated. Its not that Scott procrastinates over a project, its just been so long since we had enough time and desire to do something big.

On Saturday Scott did some major work, and as you can see here, Toby is fascinated, while Emma does not like the loud noises!

On Wednesday Scott got home from work and was ready to work. He announced he would be demolishing the closet wall we have to take out to widen the opening. He'd already taken the door and framing out on Monday.

I was to sure it was a good idea, with both kids in the house, and I was not mentally prepared for the mess! As soon as Toby saw Scott with his tools, he went right to work himself...

Initially it seemed fine. Emma left the room due to the noise, while Toby likes to see if he can yell over the noise...

Soon enough though there was dust spreading about the room. For the sake of the kids lungs and my sanity I took them outside. Unfortunately it was not really warm and we ended up in the van...

The minivan is actually great even when stationary. The kids can walk around from front to back and Emma loved pretending it was an airplane!

I think it was close to two hours before all the mess was cleaned up and I was able to free the kids - I'd brought them in but locked them in the kitchen with me!

So for the past couple days we have been living with a large empty closet in the living room. The kids have been in and out a bit, but more significant - I lost the wall the stair gate was on!!

Thats right, Toby is now free to climb the stairs as he pleases. Don't worry - he is very agile and we've been letting him practice so he can manage. I try and distract him, and if I'm upstairs for a while I bring him up with me - there's still a gate at the top of the stairs!

Toby is now firmly fascinated with tools and carpentry...

Even over lunch...

This weekend Scott is putting in a [much needed] new attic hatch and hopefully working on the closet. We have some holes to fill in all the trim (I can do that much!) and then it will be prepped for painting. It's so exciting, not just one, but 4 rooms and the hallway will be transformed in the next few weeks.

Parenting with the Lord's Prayer: Creating Stability
by Rick Warren

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10 NIV)

Study any psychological test and they’ll tell you the most insecure place for a kid to be is at the center of his or her family – controlling all the strings, getting their way in everything.

Kids instinctively know they do not belong in the center of the family; it creates great insecurity in their lives. Where kids find stability and security is in having boundaries. This is true from the moment they are born. We take little babies and wrap them up tightly. It’s called swaddling and being tightly bound gives the baby a feeling of security.

When you set boundaries with your children, they may push back, but they will also feel secure when those boundaries stand firm. They learn that you really do care about them. It’s when children don’t have those boundaries, and feel they can get away with anything, that they begin to question their parents’ love.

In the same way children need to know God’s purpose for their life is part of God’s larger plan. This creates boundaries of identity for them. It let’s them know that life is not all about them.

And in understanding God’s plan, they are able to find the answers to the basic questions of life: who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going? Where did I come from? Does my life have meaning? What is my purpose and how should I live it out? Why is this happening to me?

When you teach a child, “thy kingdom come, they will be done” you are teaching them that God has a master plan for history, but he also has a specific plan for their lives.

Parenting with the Lord's Prayer: Honoring God
by Rick Warren

“…hallowed be your name …” Matthew 6:9 (NIV)

In biblical times, your name represented your character. And, as you study the Bible, you’ll see that God has many names, each representing a benefit of what God promises to do you in your life.

For instance, Jehovah Jireh means “God will provide everything I need.” Jehovah Shalom means “God will be my peace.” And Jehovah Tsidkenu means “God will be my righteousness.”

Over and over in scripture, every name for God represents a basic problem, threat, or emotional illness you have in your life that God can take care of. He is omniscient (all-knowing) and omnipotent (all-powerful) and is “worthy to receive all glory and honor” (Revelation 4:11 NIV).

But one of the most violated commandments in our society today is number four: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” (Exodus 20:7 NKJV). Our society constantly takes the name of the Lord in vain. We hear it so often it doesn’t even offend us anymore. But it should! It bothers God.

I grew up in a family where we were not allowed to use God’s name in vain, but we also we weren’t allowed to use the subtle derivatives that are so common – gosh, jeez. I bet you didn’t even realize those are derivatives of God and Jesus. But my parents were firm that we not take God’s name in vain and that we wouldn’t even get close to it because they knew how serious it was to disrespect God in that way.

If we teach our children that God is able to meet all of our needs, then shouldn’t we also be teaching them to honor and respect him? His name included? He not only commands it, he deserves it.

This is totally awesome!

Parenting with the Lord's Prayer

This Sunday is Mother's Day. You already know it's my favorite day of the year, but I also hope it is one of yours.

Being a mother is an incredible responsibility. More than just "raising a child" (aka keeping them alive), you hold primary responsibility for the physical well-being (feeding, cleaning etc) of this little person, as well as their safety (i.e. restraining Daddy from some crazy game in which eyes can be poked out or heads fall off!).

I am only 4 years into it (it starts in the womb!), but I am assuming that the role does not change much as the years go by, even if one's children decide they are old enough to take care of themselves!!

Sometimes I also feel that mother has the [sometimes unpleasant] role of primary disciplinarian, which can get old! It's hard to find a balance between keeping the structure and letting the kids know how much you love them. When Emma screams her head off when we leave her to go to sleep at bedside, it's tough not to just go and hold her until she falls asleep!!

Anyway, in honor of Mother's Day, and Father's Day (June 19), I'm sharing the following devotionals with you. Let God guide you in parenting your children and maybe it will be less questionable about what the right thing to do is, and you can trust that our Creator and Heavenly Father already has it figured out!

Parenting with the Lord's Prayer: Overcoming Insecurity
by Rick Warren

“Our father in heaven …” Matthew 6:9 (NIV)

The number one problem kids have growing up is insecurity. Our society is trained to compete and compare instead of co-operate. So from the moment a child is born, he or she is taught to compare everything – appearance, achievement, affluence, even athletic ability (remember gym class?).

What we need to teach children from an early age, even before they get into school, is: God is my father, he loves me unconditionally, and he will never stop loving me.

If our children can understand and absorb that truth then, when they are confronted with someone who wants to diminish their self-worth, they can have the confidence to say, “If God likes me and I like me, but you don’t like me, what’s your problem?”

Unfortunately, most kids don’t grow up with that kind of confidence. They grow up under the cloud of comparison, constantly asking, “What does everybody else think of me?”

That’s why it is important to teach children that God is their ultimate, heavenly Father. And they need to understand that God is not like some earthly dads they may have encountered.

So what kind of Father is God? He’s …

1. Caring. God is a caring Father who loves you and will never stop loving you. Some dads don’t care, but your heavenly Father cares about you all the time.

2. Close. God is a close Father. Some dads are distant, but your heavenly Father has promised, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5 NLT).

3. Consistent. God is a consistent Father. Some dads are fickle and moody, but your heavenly Father is never changing.

4. Capable. God is a capable Father. Some dads are like Homer Simpson; they can’t do anything. But your heavenly Father is capable, able to do all things.

When you teach your children that God is their Father and they choose to become his children, then the issue of insecurity is settled because they will understand that they are loved by the person who controls the universe. And that puts everything else, even dodge ball, into perspective.

Sneak Peak

I couldn't resist giving you a quick look at the progress on the house
reno. These formerly plain grey walls are now sporting the classy
chair rail and shadow boxes. (it still needs painting!)

In one week Scott did that, put crown molding throughout the
downstairs, wainscoting in the kitchen and ripped out a closet
doorway. Adding a good deal of character and value to the house.

A young guy that Scott pays to finish the walls on his private work
has filled in all the holes and cracks in the walls.

We should be painting in the next few weeks. I can't wait to show you
the before and afters!!

Coincidence?

Recently, while chatting via Skype, my grandma told Scott she liked
his unshaven look. I don't know if it's connected, but he's in no
rush to shave these days!

Hey, Grandma knows best!!

Bedtime toys

Some kids like to cuddle up to a toy at naptime. Not sure how many
choose a fire station!

He pulled it in from the shelf at the end of his crib!!