Getting Dirty

When I have a project that requires me to get dirty I don't usually look forward to the initial "getting dirty" part.

If it's painting, I always start out very carefully, so as not to get any paint on me, the floor, the ceiling, the tarps. Then, out of nowhere, I see paint on my forearm. Then a spot on the ceiling and then I become a little more careless. I mean, I've already screwed up, what's a little more paint here and there?

If it's playing outside with the kids I don't necessarily enjoy the itchiness from the grass and, the stains on the jeans or the sticks in the hair, but once I morph into character, even Spiderman can't hold me down!

If it's trimming the bushes in the front yard, I start out slowly, tip-toeing around, trying not to get pricked by the holly bushes and watching out for spiders. But after I start getting a little dirty and begin sweating it doesn't bother me as bad. Give me an hour and I'm like Rambo, doing whatever it takes to get those bushes trimmed. Holly bushes? Go ahead and prick me! Spiders? I laugh in the face of spiders! Sweat? Well, that's just gross, but what can you do?

But isn't that how sin creeps into our lives?

At first you hate the sight of it. You tiptoe around it, sometimes running away from it, but then, without warning, it appears right in front of you and, if you are unguarded, it jumps right into your life. After the initial act, you've already gotten dirty and you become less careful. It begins taking over slowly and before you know it you are knee deep into a stronghold that you can't seem to get a hold on.

Then, you just become plain careless, thinking that you've already gone this far, what's one more...

"Be self-controlled and alert.

Your enemy the devil prowls around like

a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

I Peter 5:8

But there is hope! There is ALWAYS hope with Christ!

"No temptation has overtaken you but

such as is common to man; and God is faithful,

who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what

you are able, but with the temptation will provide

the way of escape also,

so that you will be able to endure it."

I Corinthians 10:13

Not Me Monday

It's a good thing my kids are always so grateful and thankful, never complaining or whining about anything.

But even if they were rolling around on the porch in the backyard complaining about playing outside, and about the grass that was wet with dew, and the wiggly shoes on their feet, I'd never throw my hands up and say, "Forget it, I'm not going to listen to you whine anymore. I'm done. Go sit in your room until I feel like hearing you again." What kind of mother talks to their children like that anyway?!

And since my kid's actions never surprise me, especially if we'd had such a long morning, when I walked into the play room to tell the kids we were going to go meet some cousins at Chick-Fil-A (and that they could finally come out of their rooms) I most certainly did not find all the contents of the diaper bag all over the floor,

two children staring back at me with mouths full of snacks,

sitting in piles of cracker crumbs.

And...

since that most certainly did not happen I NEVER stared blankly at them...

slowly turning around and walking away, speechless,

all the way to my bedroom.

And thank goodness that would never happen because then I'd have to shut my bedroom door and lock myself in so I could take a shower in peace and gain my composure...again.

Because, I'd never do a thing like that!

Nope, not me.

You Reap What You Sow

And in our case it's carrots

We mostly had small ones but we did have 1 really big one

We chopped them up and put them in a salad with some of our tomatoes.

We even had enough tomatoes to make my mom's homemade lasagna!

But the carrots only went as far as our salad:)

Fun Facts For Friday - What Makes You "Snap"

I don't know what it was. Maybe PMS, maybe lack of routine, lack of drive and motivation, or maybe it was just a desire for the craziness of summer to be over and my family back together, but I was feeling pretty down the first half of the week.

I wanted...needed, to get out, but didn't really want to talk to anybody.

I don't know, it's hard to explain.

One thing is for certain. I needed to snap out of it...and pronto. I still had three kids that were counting on me for love and consistency.

Here are a few things that have at least a 95% effective rate for getting me out of a funk!

1 - Music - choose your music wisely. I almost ALWAYS have it playing in the background, but it can play into your funk if your not careful. I like to get on Pandora and search for new artists and genres.

2 - I was spontaneous. My best bud, Jenn, was having a similar week. She called me on Wednesday morning on her way to the doctors office asking if we wanted to meet them at Chik-Fil-A for lunch. It was last minute and my kids were super cranky and complaining about everything. I decided that her call couldn't have come at a better time! Jenn and I made a "no obligation to carry on conversation" policy (you can do that with close friends) and had a great time together. We even enjoyed some good conversation in spite of our "policy";)

3 - I set up the pool and had mandatory outside time. It's amazing what some good ol' sunshine and fresh air can do. It has been WAY TOO hot to just play outside, but you can't go wrong with a little water in the kitty pool!

4 - Instead of trying to think of what I needed to get done during nap time I ended up falling asleep with Areyna and Zeke, reading by my side. The nap was great and the snuggle time with the kids was much-needed. Sometimes the pile of laundry, the unmade bed, and the dishes in the sink can just wait!

5 - I prayed A LOT about my attitude...and the kid's as well. I have to make sure I get up earlier than the kids. It's the only time I can think clearly and focus on Christ completely and give Him my undivided attention.

BONUS FACT: Josh got home Thursday morning. *sigh* That always helps the "funk"!

When you are in a funk what kinds of things make you snap out of it?

Up And Down

I Gave My Little Man A Hair Cut

He told me he didn't want crazy hair anymore. He also told me he didn't want is super short, or just a little short. I took that as a "medium short" request:)

"Yo-Yo Parenting"

My friend lent me this book last week and I dove right in on our trip last weekend.

Like any parenting book, there are some things I disagree with, but overall I have agreed with the foundation behind most of his ideas.

The second chapter was a toe-stomper! Leman was differentiating between authoritarian and permissive parenting. Two totally different extremes. As moms, we tend to judge the moms that fall on the opposite end of the spectrum.

Here's the thing though. A lot of times we often parent in the middle. Here is what Leman had to say about this: "...we wander inconsistently between the two - permissive to a point, then cracking down with authoritarian wrath. I see a lot of parents in this bind. They dangle their child on a yo-yo of inconsistency, and then wonder why the kid often acts like a 'yo-yo'."

For one reason or another we can't seem to find the common ground of authoritative parenting. There is a huge difference between authoritarian parenting and authoritative parenting and we so often miss that. "Authoritative parents do not dominate their children and make all decisions for them. Instead, they use...discipline, which is tailor-made to give children the loving correction and training of which the Lord approves." They allow their children to fail while teaching them to be responsible for their own actions.

After reading all of this I realized that, as I strive to be a more laid-back mom, the final outcome is this yo-yo effect. Here's what's funny, I couldn't have read this chapter at a better time. Josh has been gone all week at a camp, so it's just been me and my three. My Tuesday had gotten off to a rough start. For some reason or another Cai had been fussing ALL morning and following me around the house crying and whining. I know that when I have mornings like this I tend to take my frustration out on Rainy and Zeke. I could see that they were already sensing my anxiety at breakfast so we stopped and I asked them to pray for me.

They were both more than willing to pray to God "to help mommy to not be frustrated". They were the two sweetest prayers I had ever heard, and the Lord heard their sweet requests on my behalf.

The day was long from over, though. We took a trip to Wal-Mart to get a few things. I'd like to think that I allow my kids to have a good time on our outings so, when I'm feeling really adventurous, we'll look at all the silly greeting cards and stop by the music kiosk. I decided that this was a day we could just take our time. But, as soon as I went to the counter and checked out, I realized that I had left my wallet at home. I was feeling my anxiety rising again and knew that "authoritarian mom" was about to break out! I quickly remembered what this does to my kids. It makes them confused and frustrated and that is exactly what God tells parents NOT to do!

I can't even tell you how many times I was reminded of this chapter while on the verge of a freak-out moment. I chose to parent authoritatively, not based on my mood or circumstances. It's been amazing to see the kid's response to this!

The phrase of the week was "OK, mommy, I will obey you!" and "Yes ma'am!". I could hardly believe what I was hearing. My heart was so full of joy. Whether it was time to leave the pool, or time to take a nap, or time to share a toy, their reaction was the same. You better believe I took them to get ice cream after dinner and on a long walk to the park before the rain came!

Just try it. Next time your kids are seeing "nice mom" but you feel the ugly head of "authoritarian mom" rising up, remember that you have a choice! If your kids see consistency in you then you'll see consistency in them...most of the time;)

Not Me Monday

If I catch Micaiah getting into something he's not supposed to...

...I would NEVER just snap a picture

while thinking about how much fun he must be having...

...as he creates a way to reach even higher...

...for something he's not supposed to have.

Nope Not Me!

And I most certainly would not just leave the mess for him

to play in either. That would just be irresponsible!

Especially if it were because I was talking on the phone

to my mom who lives in Colorado and

I would rather catch up with my mom

than fight this particular battle!

I mean, I always discipline my children

instead of letting them get away with stuff

while I'm trying to carry on a somewhat normal phone conversation!

BUT...

if this were to happen...

I most certainly would not leave the mess

until the next morning for him to play in again.

That's just lazy. And I'm NEVER lazy!

Nope, not me!

No Reason At All