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.

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.

Kira’s Losing Teeth

That’s my sweet girl.

That’s her newest sweet gap.

She lost her top, left lateral incisor.  She was adamant in getting that thing out.  She tugged and wiggled that tooth everyday for the last week since it became loose.  When she asked me to pull it, it slid out smooth.  I don’t know about you, but I like pulling things out.  It was relieving even for me.

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.

Things Lexi says

At 5 years old, this little stinker keeps us entertained.

Some cute things she says:

• “shut your mouth”.  one day, oh maybe a month ago, she spews this phrase out. I almost got mad but it was too cute the way it came out that it’s been a cute teaser ever since.  (I’m sure this may seem odd and horrific to some.)  Generally I teach somewhat strict manners as I’ve grown in my parenting but I also have always been a kind of jokester.  I asked her where she got that from. of course she didn’t know.  The only place I’ve ever heard it is from the movie “Shaft”, which I doubt she watched without me knowing. I keep a pretty tight rein on my kids. I’m sure it’s possible that a cartoon could have used the saying and I may have missed it but we do Netflix. I know it’s not the most evil or worst thing a child can say and in the context we use it, it passes for now.  we only use this phrase in joking and she knows that, like when she’s being cute or loud.  she doesn’t use it with anyone else but our family b/c she knows that only we joke about it and it wouldn’t be appropriate to use it with others.
• “tell the truth”.  Lexi is probably the strongest willed child we have.  She actually reminds me a lot of myself.  Scary.  She tends to get upset if someone is pulling her chain so she pulls her “tell the truth” before she starts crying if she can’t take the teasing anymore.  Now that part, wasn’t so much like me.  I wish I could think of an example but right now I’m dry of any recall.
• “I love you too much”.   Instead of saying “so much”, which she now distinguishes the difference, I’ve been teasing her about “too much” and so now we have this thing where I mimic her baby sayings.  And she loves it.  She’s the only baby I have left.  She’s got that little squeaky baby voice that makes you go “awwww” when she talks.  I get that comment a lot about her and her voice.
• When she was four, she used to wake up in the middle of the night and softly cry “I want mommy” in the cutest little voice you can imagine.  and she can still imitate it as cute as ever. I had to throw that in here too, just for the record.
• she’ll repeat things back the wrong way,  but not on purpose. it’s funny.  we recently took a family trip to Twin Falls. She called it 2 different names after we had repeatedly talked about it.  One time she called it Twin Springs but she realized that didn’t sound right when she said it.  It reminded me of one of those funny scenes in the movies.

Some cute things she does:

1. sometimes in the middle of the night, she runs to our room to use the bathroom, even though there’s a bathroom right next to her room. The funny thing is she seems to know when we aren’t sleeping yet b/c that’s the only times (that I recall) that she runs crying to the bathroom. Otherwise, if we’re sleeping, she runs quietly into our room, considerately turns on the light just dimly and does what she needs to do. As a mom, I’m a light sleeper and I hear and usually sense the slightest movement of my kids.
2. Ok, maybe not so cute to some but she has a fascination with poop and her butt.  I think most, if not all, kids go through this stage.  Of course she still has a cute little butt.  She’s a petite form so everything about her is little and cute. She knows I love her cute little butt so she’ll stick it out and shake it all about sometimes to tease me.
3. animated talk. she’s always been an articulate speaker ever since she started talking at 1.5 yrs old.  You wouldn’t have thought such sentences came out of such a little body and head. Even now when she talks, her eyes light up, her squeaky little voice echoes with great inflection, and her hands animate such lively expression.  I can’t help but smile or even chuckle and laugh when she’s in serious explanation mode b/c it’s so cute.  She’s used to me by now but she used to ask me why I would laugh when she’s talking and trying to be serious.
4. flares her nostrils.  she thinks it’s funny.  when I want to take her picture, she does this sometimes to annoy me.
5. loves to style her hair.  she loves to play with hair.  sometimes she’ll style it multiple ways in a day.  i have to clean up the tangly mess afterwards but it’s okay.
6. plays the piano. she’s a natural. i hope she continues to love it.

She’s shy yet outgoing.  She loves to entertain but is a slow starter.  She’s a kinesthetic learner.  Physical skills seem to come natural to her.  She can watch something and be able to imitate it well within the first try. Of course she’s smart, but she appears to be more artsy and a natural athlete. She can be a challenge.  Character training with her is more intense but she’s all around fun.

How I love to mother her.

A Heritage to Enjoy

Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.   Proverbs 17:6, NIV

I’ve often coveted (God forgive me) the stories some families or sects that have a heritage they can pass on, a glorious story of perseverance and triumph, strength and courage in the battles that have brought them to freedom. I think of the Jews and immigrants that have come to America pursuing the dream of ‘freedom’. I  think of the great stories these ancestors have passed down from generation to generation and how their children share in the glory of great adventures I cannot.

But, I do.  God has written history in a way that no one can imitate.  There were struggles, battles, death, triumphs, vindication, humbling… and we are all a part of this historic story of redemption.  God has created a people for himself.  Although we may not understand the process, we shall know for certain that there is a happy ending; a triumphal redemptive ending that is more glorious than any Hollywood writer could concoct. There is history, story upon story of God’s works through man since the beginning of time and we get to pass it on from generation to generation.  Unlimited stories no one person can regurgitate in their lifetime.

Even though God is sovereign over all things, He uses people to extend and portray His goodness and justice to the world.  As a giver of life, one gift He extends is the gift of life and that for a woman to be vessel of a life-giver through birth, and I am thankful to be one.  I have been given 3 children, all whom I am so thankful for.  They bring me great joy.  I regretfully confess sometimes possibly I may idolize them too much, GOD forgive me.  May God set my heart right in those moments.  But what satisfaction it is to be able to raise a generation unto the Lord.  I seek God in my motherhood; that my husband and I might enjoy a future generation from our children growing in a heritage that the Lord has built upon His own name.

I am not a perfect parent.  I have many faults.  I have lost my temper.  I have disrespected my husband in front of my children.  I have neglected them at times.  I have not always been diligent in my love, discipline or grace.  But by God’s grace, I confess with a humble and broken heart that my children often tell me they love me and what a great mom I am.  I love my children dearly and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.  I would never want harm to come to them.  I shamefully confess that sadly, sometimes they are victim to my sin.  But I pray that when my children are grown, that they would be able to say that they were raised in admonition and love of the Lord.  I hope they will be able to enjoy the heritage of knowing that they were created for a greater purpose than just taking up breathing space on earth; that they are not just a blob blast from thin air living for nothing but their own glory, which may never come.  What is certain is that Christ will return for His own; all will be made new and the world will be perfect and they will get to share in the glory of it all.  Now that’s a heritage to look forward to!

The Apple Falling From the Tree

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.”

Like it or not, deny it or not, kids tend to reflect their parents. If you have ever said to yourself, or to someone else for that matter, “where does he get it from?”  First look in the mirror.  This takes some personal reflection.  Whether intentional or not, kids learn by watching.  They hear things we may think they don’t.  Ever try to be inconspicuous in a conversational reply to someone in the midst of loud kids only to find them quiet and wide eared at that very moment?

The good, the bad, the ugly.  When I see things in my kids, like maybe a quick temper, quirks, compulsive behaviors, reactionary remarks or actions that I question or don’t like, I try to think and look to myself first (or my husband).  Are we setting a bad example?  Children are like sponges, they absorb so much around them.  And sometimes, unknowingly.  They may not mimic your exact attitude but they can have their own twisted way of portraying behaviors learned.  I tend to be OCD and some anal tendencies and I see my kids developing their own.  I think we all do to some degree.   Some are more pronounced than others.  Sometimes I can laugh about them, other times I want to grind my teeth till they fall out!

Sure, kids grow and develop their own personalities, but I can’t imagine for one second that a parent does not have the influence in their child’s behaviors.  Are your kids obnoxious?  Are you obnoxious towards them when you talk to them or others?  Do your kids use manners?  Do you?  Are you consistent in teaching them what you believe to be right?  Or do you just drop a quip here and there.  Just like anything learned, it takes practice. Practice together what it means to be kind, polite, honest, cheerful, encouraging.  Sure, it’s hard to teach a dog new tricks, but it’s never too late to undo what’s been done.  Don’t believe the lie!  Sure, it’ll be a harder task, but not impossible.

Now of course, when your children exude sweet joy and personalities of fun and honorable character, we may tend to what to attribute it all to us.  But you gotta take the good with the bad.  You can also be honest and look in the mirror and ask yourself, are you the example by which your children will one day thank?  Keep pressing on!

Being a parent is a persevering job and it’s the best job a mother can have.  It’s got its grueling moments and its peaceful successes.  It takes a lot of patience, persistence, consistency, courage, strength…  the list goes on.  May the sufficient grace He provides help you persevere in daily self-denial, self-reflection and honorable training of your children.