Night Time Family Devotions

Deuteronomy 11:18  Fix these words of mine into your mind and being, and tie them as a reminder on your hands and let them be symbols on your forehead. 11:19 Teach them to your children and speak of them as you sit in your house, as you walk along the road,  as you lie down, and as you get up. 11:20 Inscribe them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates

As part of our daily routine, we always try to have family devotions before bedtime.   And if we miss it, it’s just not the same for kids to go to bed without devotions.  They ask for it.  It’s part of our life.  God’s word is to read, to be cherished, and honored.  They aren’t perfect in paying attention but it’s a tradition, a time they look forward to.  I hope they remember this also when they’re older as a great memory.  We generally have this time in girls’ room.  Once in a while in our bedroom, the living room, or “hang out” room (which is what we labeled the upstairs family room ) and the kids go crazy over this.  Oh the little joys in life!  Sometimes we do devotions at dinner. Sometimes things happen or come up and we don’t get to.  Such is life sometimes, ain’t it?

It’s our responsibilities as parents to teach our children in the way they should go, especially in the ways of the Lord.  We shall teach them the Word; what it says, means and how to live it.  I had a great devotional with the kids this morning as we read Psalm 90.  They may not understand it all now but it’s never too early to start instilling the value and love of the Word and time together as a family in reading and learning it together.  My youngest is 5 and just when I don’t think she’s thinking, she’ll pop up with some comment that has been brewing in her mind that was sparked by something I said or read, and it’s wonderful (aside from being so cute!)

I cherish these times.  The girls almost always want to cuddle with me while we have our devotions and it’s a sweet moment and memory that I hold dear.  May they too, cherish the time and remember it.  If not, they will have this post to read!  Love you guys!

An Evening in the Garden with my Children

It was a good day last Wednesday.  I was exhausted that morning due to bad discretion on my part about bed time.  But 2 out of 3 kids were up early (7am is early for us), ate cereal on their own and Kira started on her school work.  Self starting days are almost always a good day.  She was motivated to get it done. Got to love that!

We ended the day with gardening.  I sent the neighborhood kids home and made my kids come to the backyard to help me because I knew they would have complained later that they didn’t get to.  Sometimes you just gotta take the lead and make them do things.  Otherwise, they may never think of it themselves.  They’re kids!  Man, blessing upon blessing, these kids.  They never complained the whole time.  They pulled weeds and helped me dig trenches in the garden bed.  They helped me for about an hour and it was no easy task.  They were digging dirt like champs.

We were digging dirt and digging trenches for bins that I’m using as containers.  I’m container gardening this year.  I had the usual flat area we dug up 3 summers ago.  I wanted a change and try something new.  For reasons I’m not sure of  because I’m still an amateur, my crops as a whole have not yielded well.  My kale has always done well.  They pumpkins were a hit too.  But even the easiest to grow like peas and tomatoes, have not done well.  Just small yields.

Anyway, this note is more about the joy and cheerfulness that my kids worked with tonight.  They laughed.  The goofed.  They chattered about how they could team-work, like suggesting this and that to each other without fighting.  Now that’s a praise in itself.  They chattered on and on.  It was all so heartwarming to watch the bonding time between my kids.  They alternated shovels till the end.  They commented on how fun it was to help me garden; how they wanted to work hard and be helpful and they were willing to work into the dark night.  Well, we went pretty close.  It was close to 9pm by the time we went to wash up.  My sweet Kira even thanked me for giving them the opportunity to garden.  What??!  I am so undeserving of such wonderful kids.  I mean, sure, they are imperfect and have their moments, but they are such good kids.  However imperfect I am, they are unconditional lovers of my motherhood.  Hallelujah to my Savior.  Again, I was a happy mama.  Love them kids.

Saturday Mornings

Another tradition I started some time ago.  Not sure exactly when.  If I had to guess, I’d say a few year ago.  I don’t get to it perfectly, whether it’s sleeping in too late before an appointment, or having to leave too early before something that was planned.  It’s also a sleep in day if we don’t have any obligations that Saturday.  So when I wake up, I usually make a special breakfast, or I should say brunch by the time I finish cooking and we eat.  The kids look forward to Saturday “morning” meal.  Or shall I say the first meal of the day.  It’s the one day of the week that I usually go all out, and they get  EGGS!!  During the week, they eat cereal, bagels or fruit or a mixture of things, something easy.

So last weekend Cody and Kira held out for a big breakfast as Lexi went for cereal first.  Lexi loves cereal.  And I tend to buy the sugary ones as a ‘treat’.  I know, I’m a terrible mom for feeding them that junk!  One of my weaknesses.  So, I got up to get it for her and went back to lay down (I know, how lazy).  It was only 9am!!!  On a Saturday!!!  So, Cody was trying to hold her back from eating anything because “mom” was going to make food.  Funny.

 

So on this day, I made, for the 1st time, sweet potato battered french toast using rye bread and smoothies.  The girls weren’t too crazy about it but ate some.  Cody like it enough to eat seconds.  Not sure if he was just really hungry or what but he seemed to have enjoyed it.   This, with a side of tropical smoothie.

 

pretty good.

The Precious Love of My Daughters

Today was a full day.  We started off the day with one of my kids favorite food, breakfast burritos.  They love eggs.  They love meaty meals, period.  Went to the rec center for a couple of hours of swimming.  Then an unplanned rest of the day shopping.  First, we went to Costco for some food.  Strolled through the store and ate samples.  They have the best samples.  Then off to a newer store in our area, Gordmans.  Nice store.  Then marathon shop to World Market, Petco, Old Navy, Target, and Bed Bath Beyond (I love the gadgets in this place!).  For about 5 hours, my kids were shopping machines.  They didn’t complain (much).  They are such shopping machines.  They about ask me almost every day if we can or are going shopping and are disappointed when we don’t.

I know I’m not the perfect parent and they are surely a blessing I do not deserve.  God has been so gracious to me and I’m glad my mom didn’t have a say in it.  She often cried curses at me when I was younger, saying that she hoped my kids were worse than I was to her.  I admit I was a headache of a child.  I was the youngest.  But God spared me.  Hallelujah!

Anyway, my youngest, who is currently 5, soon to be 6 in July, says to me as we’re walking to one of our target stores (no pun intended), she says to me in her baby-like voice (so cute too), “I wanna stay with you mommy.”  I never want to leave you.  I want to stay with you forever.”  Some moments are just better than others.  I definitely hope to remember them all.  But with my memory sometimes, it’ll be challenging for sure, which is why I write (or type).  I love my baby girl.

My 7-year-old daughter is soon to be 8 in June. She has such a sweet heart, and has a big one too, but takes the world too serious sometimes, for her age. And has thoughts way beyond her years. So as we sat folding out laundry, she begins to get teary eyed. Nothing in particular was happening. She was having some back and forth with her sister that I told her to chill out about. She has a pretty high guilt-conscience (if that makes sense). So she is quick to apologize for her mishaps. So, anyway, I asked her what was wrong. She hesitated. I asked her again and assured her to trust me, that she could tell me anything. She curdled out that it’s hard to explain. I asked her what it was about. So she says, “I can’t imagine being without you.” Oh man. Melted my heart but cause me to chuckle a little. I urged her to trust God and that she shouldn’t worry about this now.  She agreed.  Now I don’t know if this is the beginning of what’s to come. She has always been a little more mentally and emotionally mature than average. Sometimes it concerns me, but I appreciate her so much.

I love you sweet girl. I hope our time on earth isn’t cut too short. I hope to see you grow into a beautiful woman. I hope you marry the man of your dreams, who will love and honor you, and see you love your children how I have loved you. I’ve made many mistakes. I pray God covers you with grace in spite of my own mishaps. You are so special. And God made you that way for his own glory.

This is another great day to remember in the books.

Tea Bags for Eye Infection

Some months ago, this past winter, it appeared my youngest daughter was experiencing the onset of an eye infection. She has been prone to eye infections ever since she was a baby. Not to wanting to run to the doctor for meds right away, I googled a natural treatment of course! So after reading, I decided I’d try soaking her eyes with tea bags. It worked! I think I caught it early enough.
Isn’t she a cute alien looking eye infection?

Child Labor, or Parenting?

Lexi washing dishes. winter 2012. 5 y.o.

Some might call this unfair, or even abuse.  Maybe ridiculous.  I call it parenting.  My children have never been strangers to work.  They have been involved with the daily life of household responsibilities since they were young, like 1 year.  Starting off with simple things like picking up toys when you’re done to play with it.  They will grow up and be adults one day.  They should know what it means to work, to work diligently and cheerfully, not unto men but unto the Lord.  They should learn how to clean up after themselves in various ways, according to their capabilities, whether it be after eating, playing or working, etc., adapting as they mature.  My children are not perfect in their abilities and responsibilities, but it’s a process we continually grow in.  And it will be a process for as long as they live, as it is for me.  Just because they have not fully grasped it yet doesn’t mean they can’t.  We all need practice.  Learning anything at all takes either being taught or learning to do it yourself.  Part of that process also takes practice, practice, practice.  It may take us a day, a week, or a year, but by golly, we can do it!  Anything is possible through Christ, right?  Or is that too cliché to include here?

My children (generally) love to help.  It’s not just in the doing, but “serving”.  Christ calls us to serve and the gift we receive in serving is the joy it brings when we’re productive.  Children are no different.  God created us for good works.  I don’t know about you, but I always feel like satisfied when I’ve completed a task.

Anyway, my youngest at age 5 in the video, really wanted to wash the dishes this day.  Well, my girls would do the dishes more often if I let them.  It’s just faster, easier and less messy when I do it.  Well, this day Lexi did a great job.  She scrub that rice pot for probably 3 minutes or more.  It was a clean pot.  She was such so cute.  And I was a proud mommy.

Laughing with Lexi

So while eating out today, Lexi says, “Oh, I know why workers are called workers, b/c they’re always working.”  She has these random sparks of thoughts often.  To which I replied, “Well, yes.  If you don’t do the job you’re paid to do when you’re supposed to be working, you’ll get fired.”  She then responds, “Do you die if you get fired?”  Another Lexi gut buster.  That’s just plain child- hilarious.

Lexi, 5 years old, turning 6 in July.

Let Her Pray

My daughter loves to pray.  So much so, she even does it in her sleep.

She’s so precious.

Learn the Bible Books

My kids used this video to learn the books of the bible.  My youngest was just shy of 4 and my other daughter was 5 when they learned this.  It’s possible!  And fun!

It was awfully nice of the Bigsby Show to put my girls on their site.  You can see them at Bigsby News and see other things the show is up to on their official website.

It is awesome because it’s not some cheesy kids’ tune.  It’s actually enjoyable for adults too.  It reminds me of the Beatles style music.  It definitely helped me, and still does.  I hope you can learn something too!  Happy singing and learning!

my girls and who gets to pray

My girls.  Maybe it’s sibling rivalry.  Maybe it’s notoriety.  Maybe it’s just plain godly desire.  Maybe a little of all the above.

My kids love to pray.  My son Cody, now he’s a prayer warrior.  If you are going to pray with him, make sure you are not in a hurry  b/c he covers all the bases.  He’s got God’s attributes addressed, morning, day and night needs, church, family, friends.  He jam packs his prayers.  He is good.

Now Kira, my eldest daughter, who is now 7, is one of those high achieving do-gooders.  She loves to please people, loves to compete and excel at whatever is that strikes her fancy.  She’s very outgoing and brave.  She wants to tackle the world.  She’s got a soft heart that enjoys serving others.  She’s smart, a literalist and a thinker.  She’s also our clumsiest and messiest.  Is it true that the most intelligent are the most unorganized and messy people?  She would fit into that category.  Although, I am working on her organizational character.

Well, since last year, my girls have been doing this thing where they try to up one another in love…er…asking to pray at meals or sit near mom at meals.  Usually Lexi (the youngest) sits next to me and has everyday since a baby, naturally b/c she’s always been the youngest and practically for me to aid in feeding her, etc.  So I”m not sure how the whole “mom, can I sit next to you at dinner” came about.

Kira really has a sweet heart and desires to please.  This can be a blessing and a curse.  She has a tender spirit and loves all things godly.  She has enjoyed praying before Lexi knew how.  Ever since Lexi became confident in praying, she has given her sister a run for her money.  Pardon the cheap expression.  I think Lexi wants to just b/c she can and to beat her bigger sister.  She tends to fight for attention.  Now they make requests to pray and sit next to me for the next day.  Sometimes it’s comical.  Other times I want to scream.  The idea that they are trying to outdo each other in this manner might drive me to cry “pharisee”! but I don’t want to crush their spirits either if they are truly desiring to pray.  A blessing, or a curse?  Time will tell.  In the meantime, I hope they don’t lose this zeal to pray when they grow older.

I don’t take this lightly, yet only as serious as I can make it at this age.  My many attempts to teach them about the importance and place prayer has in the life of a believer shall hopefully prove a valuable lesson learned one day- soon.  But only the Spirit of the Lord can illuminate that truth in their hearts.  I pray it be.