Discipline

What does God say about Disciplining our children? Proverbs 23:13 says that "Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die". I believe that you do not always have to use physical punishment, there are other ways to discipline, however, I do believe when the children are smaller its not wrong to give them a pat on the bottom. The scenario that is almost often used is "If a child runs in the street you will pull them back and smack their bottom". That ultimately saves them. The scripture says in Proverbs 19:18
"Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death". I think that once a child gets to a certain age, physical discipline should not be used. I know of people who were still getting disciplined well into their teen years. There is no need for that if you teach them when they are younger. I truly believe that the toddler age is the time when you really rear your kids into the things that are acceptable and whats not. I have this issue now with a very strong willed 2 1/2 year old. He wears me out! I am trying to come up with different ideas in the way we discipline him but he rarely responds to a "time out" whats a parent to do? It truly does hurt me more then him if I need to pat him on the bottom. Lord knows I don't want to but I fear if I don't train him now, what will the future hold? I can only pray and trust God. As parents thats the number one thing we do and trust the scripture when it says Proverb 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go, when he is old he will not depart".

Time Management

Why do the weekends go so fast? Its 2 days and seems like its over before it starts! How come Monday and Tuesday don't go that fast! I love spending the time with our family and friends relaxing watching Football or just hanging out. I heard a very sweet christian woman say to me one time that the Lord gave us the amount of days and hours he knew we would need and we should never complain about it. We should never say "There are not enough hours in a day" and things like that. Sometimes it seems as moms that we never do have enough time. I am guilty of not managing my time wisely and maybe that is something that I need to work on. I have already made changes regarding the computer time on social networks and that frees up a lot of time. I see some woman who have this list of things that they need to complete for the day and they check them each off and make sure it gets done, wow! We have a list but very rarely does it all get done! Atleast I am on the right path though. Sometimes I feel like a failure in that department but I like to say "Life happens" things happen, kids get sick, laundry needs washed and things like that. I try to remember to make the most of everything we are doing even if it is laundry, life is so short. I think of the scriptures when they say "life is but a fleeting moment" or "life is a vapor". Things like that really make you realize its not so much what you are doing in that time as much as it is how you are making the best of that time. What does God say about managing our time?

Ephesians 5:15-16 "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."

Social Networking

I have been very convicted this past week about the time I spend on the computer and Facebook. I am ashamed to even say how many hours I would spend surfing around the internet when I could be using my time where it is needed, in my own house! I think that blogs are awesome and its a great way to peek inside other peoples homes and hearts to see what they do and to get great ideas from them, however, Facebook I have noticed is becoming and invasion of privacy for many. You know that saying "less is more" well I feel I am beginning to learn too much and its not needed. Honestly, I don't care that someone is on their way to the pick up a can of tomatoes or that someone else's husband is being a jerk. Really, its a little much. I think Facebook is a great outreach tool to spread news of important things but it can very easily take a lot of time if not careful with it. I like the fact that I can see pictures of distant relatives and friends and that will be about the extent of my use other then trying to encourage others in the Lord and encouragement for myself. I do not want to offend those who use it, like I said its a great tool and maybe I just don't have the discipline to limit myself. Since we homeschool it takes a lot of concentration on my part because I have 2 kids under 3 and its so hard to teach the oldest with the distractions I already have so I am trying to simplify my daily life and what I do with the hours given. I have been to The Homeschool Channel which is a great tool and loads of info and movies for parents and the kids to view. You should check it out those who wish to enrich their teaching with other information. I watched a video yesterday morning on Noah and DNA, very cool. I plan to continue to blog here and this will be sent also to my Facebook page graciously given for the friends I have there and really cherish, I will pop in maybe once a week or so for messages there so God Bless you all and I am off for some Math time, send some prayers :)

180 Movie

I was so excited to finally see the Ray Comfort 180 movie. It is definitely a movie that will get even the biggest skeptic thinking, I love stuff like that. I know that topics like Abortion, Murder, Holocaust, and the Right to Choose are not the favorite things that talk about or debate but they are things we need to discuss. I am so floored at the amount of people who didn't know who Adolph Hitler was, really!!!? I mean have they stopped teaching our kids in school about the holocaust? I am only 36 but when I was in school we learned of it. I am teaching my children about it, its not something that should be forgotten, ever. The connections Ray made about Hitler and Abortion were very good, I mean we would never sit back and watch people be killed for no reason so why would someone think its ok to kill a child? Doesn't make sense to me. God says its murder and I believe it is. What if Mary was Pro Choice?

Well this has been one sad week. At the beginning of the week we get word that my husbands 34 year old cousin was killed in a car accident. A young man, a father, loved one taken way too soon. It breaks your heart when anyone dies but the premature deaths are the hardest I think. A few days after that we get word that my sweet aunts ex hubby, father of her 2 girls, 39 years old dies suddenly. Wow, what is going on, so young. I feel so bad for these families. Words can't say anything to help the pain, I guess sometimes the only thing we can do is to just be there. So yesterday my parents call too tell me that my cousin, mid 40s is in the hospital, he just collapsed at work. They believe it could be his heart and copd. Another young man with kids. It really goes to show you that you just never know. Its the famous saying we all have said I am sure but its so true. The bible says we are not promised tomorrow and this week was definitely a wake up call to me to try to be more relaxed, enjoy the little things. I have a tendency to stress over so much, really stuff that I can't even doing anything about. Why do we do that? What is it with us that we think worrying will change something? Just like Jesus said, "Don't worry about tomorrow or what you will eat, your clothes, or anything" Matthew 6:25 My goal for the week is to try to get into a pattern of relaxing, trying not to stress and worry so much, it really doesn't get us anywhere does it? I want to relax like this little monkey picture, so cute and care free :)

Holiday wreaths and easy crafts

I am in a crafty mood and have been making bandana wreaths, I love them and they are so cheap! I also have all the stuff to make the bottle cap jewelry that is my next mission. Its fun and easy and the whole family can do it! This one is our Halloween one, so cute the kids can help!!

In time of Loss

I woke up this morning and signed on to check email and messages and seen that a precious little girl named Gabby whose Facebook page many of us followed had lost her battle with cancer last night. My heart just sank. Its every parents nightmare. I can't imagine because my mind won't even allow the thought, its not the normal process of the way things are "supposed" to happen. I remember listening to a preacher talk about the tragic loss of his daughter who was going on a missions trip and her plane went down, she was 18, a christian and just wonderful by all accounts. Why? Why do these horrible things happen to the innocent, thats the million dollar question. The preacher said that there was NO emotion that goes with the loss of a child thats normal, its normal for us to grieve the loss of a grandparent, parent and even sibling. Not a child, there is no emotion that is normal to go with that. Its not how its supposed to be. There is only one way to cope with this kind of loss and its God. When King David lost his child he said "Why should I go on fasting, can I bring him back? He will not come back to me, I shall go to him" 2 Samuel 12:23 As Christians we have one hope and that is in God and that one day we will be reunited with our loved ones. My cousin was tragically killed when hit by a car at the age of 3, my aunt and uncle were not christians at the time. My aunt said the only thing that got her through was that she could be with her again if she believed and trusted in the Lord so her and my uncle got saved and eventually because pastors of a church, they are still serving the Lord and one of the sweetest couple I've ever met and love the Lord so much. Words from me won't be of much comfort to the family of Gabby, there is probably not much anyone can say. As of right now we need to just pray for them that God give them strength and all of those who've lost a loved one, a child or someone tragically. God is their only Hope.

Psalm 33:20

"Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield"

Rainy Days

Its been raining so much here that it starts to get me in a lazy mood of wanting to do nothing but bake, cook and relax. Not always good! However its these times that I appreciate all we have. When you are forced to stay inside with little kids when the weather is bad you find all kinds of things that make you realize how fortunate we are, like having a Wii, playstation, computer, internet, movies and cable. It makes me feel like "How spoiled are we"? What did they do 100 years ago? I am sure that was some good old fashioned family time. I sort of envy that in a way because with all this technology it seems we get lost in so many things that we have no time for family time. I remember hearing someone say that they text the kids when its dinner time. I try to keep an even balance because I think we do need to remember that times change and we change with them but I don't want to lose the closeness of the family. Its easy too do. So tonight I think after dinner we will read a book together and just enjoy each other. One day these "Rainy days" will probably be the days I long for the most.

Sick Days and Schedules

As much as we shoot for abiding by our schedule there are days where things happen that you can't control, such as today, our oldest is suddenly sick. At least we completed our prayer journal and our english test. I will use this day to get some laundry caught up and enjoy some time just relaxing with the kids. I can remember when our son was in school and he would get sick I would rush to the school to get him and be so worried. I am so thankful that I am able to homeschool them and be here with them when they are sick, sad, or even scared. I never in my wildest dreams thought we would homeschool, I had never even thought about homeschool. I had no clue how anyone would even start at that. Honestly there is such a misconception of homeschool that it turns most people away. I remember reading EVERYTHING I could about homeschool and looking at people who were home schooled and thinking "Wow they are really smart, this may work"! I also felt in my heart that even God would approve, right?! I understand that every family is unique in their own way and have things that work differently for them but for us, this works! I will never act as if its not hard because this is the biggest challenge of my life, aside from being a parent, homeschool is really hard and you have to work a lot as well. So when days like this pop up and I may be frustrated because it strays me from my schedule I am just going to be thankful to God that I am able to be at home with my sick kids and enjoy every moment with them that I can. After all God has Graciously Given them too me Genesis 33:5

Blogging, too much or not enough?

I love to blog, even if I don't have many followers I feel like my blog is like an "online journal". I always journaled as a kid and early adult. I was the girl who always had the diary too. I am sure my brothers read it more then once! I think writing is a therapy in a way for some. Its a place you can vent, chat, complain, voice opinions and not feel like you need to be careful. I am thankful for any and everyone who pops by and reads this. I hope that someway my words can encourage any of you. Sometimes I wonder if "blogging" is a good thing, sometimes we get so caught up in it that it can take priority over other important things that need to be done. I think as long as we maintain a happy balance that blogging is great. I have read many of your blogs that have inspired me or given me ideas that work for our family now! I think its great that we can meet so many wonderful people we other wise wouldn't have if there were no internet, Facebook and blogger! I hope you all continue in your blogging journey and I look forward to continuing to read them! God Bless and have a great Sunday! We are off for a Family Sunday dinner!

Summer Memories

I can't believe that its almost September. You know what that means right? Closer to the Holidays! Its like a countdown, as soon as school starts and summer is over it goes so fast. I pray that everyone had a great summer. I was thinking about when I was a child and spent so many summers at my grandparents homes, I only have one grandparent left now. I miss all of them, I sometimes sit and just reminisce of all the fun, innocent things we did. Catching fireflies, running in the fields, climbing trees, digging in the dirt, staying up late and chasing down ice cream trucks. Oh the memories of a time when there was no stress. I used to pray that God speed time up so I could be 18 a move out, own my own home and not have to listen to my parents, HA! So naive. If we only knew then, right? I pray that my own kids experience the things that we were able to as kids but I am a realist and know that the world is a little different now. When you could stay out until the porch lights came on now you have to play right in front of your porch light. Kids can't walk to the nearest parks alone, parents need to go with them to everything. I often feel guilty that my kids won't be able to experience that stuff. I think when we get to heaven it will be like a fun summer day, no worries, carelessly playing, no fear, constant joy, happiness that is unspeakable and of course, seeing the Lord. What a perfect eternity, does not get much better then that. What are some of your childhood summer memories? I hope you all cherish your memories and have made the best of your summer.

Psalm 71:5
For you have been my hope, Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.

Such a beautiful, chilly morning. Reminds me of when I was a child and our first day of school always seemed cool outside. Today we will work on our school work and do some laundry and I will be making soup for lunch and dinner since hubby has a dentist appointment. Not our favorite :( I pray you all continue to have a blessed week and great first week at school those of you who have started. So much too do and such a busy time right now. We need to remember to take time for ourselves, moms need to have some down time to unwind from the daily activities ect...last night I got the kids bathed and in bed by 8 and actually had time to lay in bed and read my kindle! It was a miracle! I know that we need that time for ourselves, I think it makes us a better parent too. We all need our rest. So remember with all the things going on right now, doctors appointments, lessons, and school activities take time for yourself! I know its hard, as moms we always put ourselves last, really we need this for our own sanity and for the good of all our family.

" Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him." ~ Psalm 62:5

Back to School

Well today is the “official” first day of school for our family. We worked today from 10am until 3pm and it went very smooth. I was pleasantly surprised but at the same time I realize not all days will go this easy. I remember the first few months when we first started I would get so discouraged when things did not go according to our schedule and I would feel like a complete failure. Since then I’ve learned that schedules don’t always get followed! Its ok. Things happen, Life happens and we get up the next day and start over, right? I think so. Prayers to you all as you begin back to school and prayers for the safety of our children. God Bless

“Great is his faithfulness, his mercies are fresh every morning “~~Lamentation 3:23

Quiet Time

How many of you long for Quiet Time? I feel like life gets so busy sometimes that there is NO HOPE for it! I have been taking advantage of my Kindle at night when the kids go to sleep so I can sneak some reading in. I used to LOVE too read, I read all the time. I remember even as a kid I would take my "allowance" and buy Sweet Valley High books and read them. I look back now and see that my love for reading started very early on. I try to instill that in my own children as well. Its a nice "escape" to grab a good book and just drift away into it. I also feel lately like I have been neglecting my Bible reading as well. I downloaded the KJV Bible on my kindle so I can make sure I get that in at night. I used to be able to sit at the table for hours and study my bible, those were the days. I keep reminding myself as the kids get older it will get easier to sit and do that but for now, a season, they are small and I will enjoy and take advantage of my "Quiet Time" at night. How many of you long for that time as well?

Friends

Ive been a little preoccupied the past week or so. I have been so busy catching up with some old friends, family and we have had quite a few family functions. Everyone is getting ready to go back to school and there are a lot of end of the Summer activities. I hope everyone has had a great Summer! Its been SO HOT! I am ready for the fall. I am glad that I have started talking again to my BFF from middle school through high school. It makes you remember what it was like to have that best friend from your childhood who you had sleepovers with, first boyfriends, parties, and proms. It takes you back to good memories but also brings you to where we are today and realize that time goes so fast. Its scary. Its so important to have people in our lives that bring happiness and joy. Life is so short to be surrounded by things that don't even matter, arguing, drama, and silliness. Over the past year or so it seems like every corner I turned there was some sort of drama going on whether it was family or friends and emotionally and mentally it takes its toll on you. I am at a point in my life that unless you are bringing positive things to the table then I am not interested in a relationship with you. I am too old to answer to people or explain my actions for what I do in my life or what friends I have. I want to live life to the fullest and be happy. I have a great family, wonderful hubby and kids and I am going to enjoy it. I hope you all enjoy yours too and remember life is short, cherish each moment with your loved ones and true friends. God puts people in our lives for a reason I believe, I want to enjoy them :)

Best Summer Salad!

This is the BEST summer salad! Romaine lettuce, steak strips, red onion, oranges, honey and olive oil, sprinkle with some pepper then done!! I was not sure we would like this and now I have hubby asking "Can we have the steak salad"! We usually stick to the same things we like around here for fear of wasting money and food! However, I made this a few months back for a party and I barely got a plate! I am having hubby a 40th birthday party this weekend and this is on the menu. I am making it mostly "guy food". BBQ, chicken buffalo dip with bread, chips and salsa, wings, steak salad and hot dogs for the kids. Someone is spoiled! Try this salad if you can, its awesome!!

Blessed

Wow, today has gone by super fast. I am sitting here thinking "where does the time go"? I guess its true that when you are busy the time goes by fast. We were a little slow moving this AM since we slept in a little later then usual, we ate and started school at 11:30 and the little kids napped. I love doing school when they are sleeping, when they are awake they want to be right at the table doing whatever we are. Its sweet and they have learned a lot too but its hard for our oldest to concentrate sometimes. I believe home school is a blessing for us but its easy to get discouraged because I am a schedule type of person and I can't always follow it. I guess thats the beauty in home school, you make your own schedule and go with the flow. We usually get a good days worth of school in about 4 hours and then we do extra "fun" stuff later. We are working through the summer until November 1 then we break until January, we can't wait!! We love the cooler months and this works great since our son has horrible allergies! Camping is better in the fall :) Also with the holidays during that time it tends to get a little crazy. I am praying for God to continue to give me strength to teach our children the way he wants and continues to bless our family the way he has. I pray the same for all of you.

Heaven is real!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVtNzONbaiU

Its a girl!!

We have been blessed with 3 children, 2 boys and a girl who is our baby. I am used to little boys since that is where most of my experience is. Our oldest is 10 middle child 2 1/2 and our daughter is only18 months old. I can tell you a few things that I have learned so far about little girls, they are so sweet, dainty, gentle, obedient (so far), loving and they definitely know how to melt your heart. Our oldest is very smart, kind and loving and our middle, well, lets just say he is one of those kids that when we wake up we hit the floor RUNNING! I wouldn’t trade any of it! We were very nervous about having a girl, we wanted all boys since we felt safer with them. I am aware that all children are at risk for certain things and we need to watch all of them closely but there is something that makes you into MAJOR protection mode where girls are concerned. Its safe to say with her daddy and 2 older brothers she will be watched, closely! I watch in amazement sometimes at how by instinct my daughter will pick up paper off the floor and bring it to me, then thank me for taking it! My boys, well they just walk on it. I watch how she is ALWAYS in her play kitchen just like mommy,and she tries to help when I fold laundry. It is so awesome to see how boys and girls are so different and God made it so we would fit perfectly with one another. I can’t wait until she is older so I can teach her things and pass traditions to her, so many ideas flood your mind where girls are concerned. Of course there are things you pass to your sons as well, like how to treat females. Now that they have a sister she is watched over like a HAWK especially by our oldest. He has already let us know that nobody will be dating her, EVER! All of our children are a blessing but little girls are like the cherry on top. I am so thankful and not a day goes by where I don’t look at them and know it. I see the way my husband looks at her and how his face lights up and when she sees her daddy its a look that she has for nobody else but him, its so precious. We are truly blessed. The picture at the top is what the sonographer gave me and I took home and we let our oldest open and read it, Congrats you’re having a baby girl!!! He was the first to know and that was so special to him.