You don’t have to tell them
| May 4, 2012 | Filled under 21 Days Praying for Sons, My Kids, My Life Lessons |
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to play in mud puddles….
I can remember when my girls were about this age, getting them into their bathing suits and taking them to puddle jump.
They stared at me, and the puddles and went to the grass to play. They didn’t want to get in the water. But now I have boys – who don’t have to be asked, they simple see a puddle and walk right in. (He didn’t think to pull up his pants, that was at my suggestion 
Conspiracy
| May 2, 2012 | Filled under 21 Days Praying for Sons, My Kids, My Life Lessons |
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I’m following right along with my 21 Days of Praying for my sons. It’s helping me focus my prayers, thoughts and attitudes. I’m battling against my own female inclinations and embracing the boyishness that overwhelms my home at times. 
I’m constantly asking for discernment between naughty and boyish behavior.
I caught him in the act during lunch. At first I thought he was being naughty and feeding the dog his food. Trying to get away without eating something on his plate.
Grapes are one of his favorite foods. And then I realized he was “sharing” his lunch.
Baby Dedication = Answered Prayer
| April 30, 2012 | Filled under 21 Days Praying for Sons, Challenges, My Kids, My Life Lessons, Uncategorized |
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My mother had no idea he was 1000 miles away in New Jersey while we were in Florida. She had no idea the horrific abuse he was enduring in his home. She simply knew that there was a little boy who would someday grow up to marry her daughter, be her son, and the father of her grandchildren. That was enough qualifications to add him to her prayer list. It didn’t matter if she would receive a child by birth(my brother), a child through adoption (I was adopted) or marriage (my husband & sister-in-law), she received him as her own. She filed him right next to my brother and as she prayed for my brother on a daily basis, she lifted up this unknown boy in her prayers to the Throne of Grace.
Her foremost prayer was for his salvation. Her prayers partnered with a teenage boy who had the courage to invite him to youth group. It was there; he responded to the gospel message and received Christ as his personal savior. It wasn’t until years later did she see her answered prayer. It wasn’t until years later did she see the impact her prayers had to preserve and protect him during his abuse. It wasn’t until years later did she see how her prayers impacted his life through God’s healing power to beat all the statistics that haunt survivors of abuse.
Her prayers have reached into future generations as my sons are blessed with a godly heritage from their father. Her grandsons see a man after God’s own heart, a father who prays with them, teaches them God’s Word and takes them to church. Years later she would stand next to this son as he dedicated his son, her grandson, to the Lord. Did she know the eternal significance her prayers would have?
She simply had the heart of a mother for a child who would one day be her son. I am forever grateful.
Starting May 1st thousands of mom’s throughout the country and all over the world will be joining together for 21 Days Praying for Our Sons.
I’ve got three little boys who could always use some extra, focused, corporate prayer. Who wouldn’t?? But my mother’s example always reminds me, I don’t have just three boys – I have 5. I’m the mother of two girls, which means I’ve got two future sons.
Why don’t you join us?? You don’t have to blog, you can follow along via email. Visit the MOB Society for information and links. Or the Facebook Fanpage.
Two Months
| April 19, 2012 | Filled under Let's Hear it For the Boys, My Kids |
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Lucious – you are simply lucious, all your chubby rolls and cheeks and that pouty lip when you sleep.
You celebrated two months in the most wonderful way, by sleeping through the night for 8 hours – amazing!! (now if I can just get your brothers to stop teething and sleep through the night – I might be able to fully enjoy this milestone)
You’ve added coo’s and smiles to your manipulative tools – so adorable. The smiles and dimples are contagious.
You are the sweetest, most happy and content baby -
I smile every time I snuggle your head, your scent is a mixture of baby wash, sour milk and morning breath (from all the good morning kisses you siblings steal while I’m making breakfast)
You are so gracious to all the other mom’s at co-op you share all your babyness with those whose children have grown too fast! I cherish every moment with you as I realize that all too soon, you will be a tall young man with a deep voice and facial hair, and I will be that mom getting my “baby fix” from co-op baby
Fisher of Men
| April 15, 2012 | Filled under 21 Days Praying for Sons, Let's Hear it For the Boys, My Kids, My Life Lessons |
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We went to the county park yesterday to soak up some of the beautiful weather we’ve been experiencing. The park is full of playgrounds and hiking trails and open fields. We were constantly on guard watching Caleb to ensure he stayed with us and didn’t run off exploring on his own. He is the most rambunctious little boy I’ve ever seen
When the kids got bored of one playground we walked over to the next set. On the way we had to cross a bridge over the dam. The upper side of the lake is stocked with trout. There were a bunch of fishermen, in boats and at the waters edge trying to get their catch.
Caleb was fascinated. He sat and watched and watched. He was thrilled to watch one man reel in a small trout. Eventually, we had to tear him away from the lake.
And now I start to wonder how the child who doesn’t stop moving all day can sit quietly and patiently to watch fishing. I start to wonder about this aspect of his personality.
Later that day, as I was going through photos, these verses hit me:
Matt 4:19, 20
And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
20 Immediately
they left their nets and followed Him.
I have some new verses to pray over this guy
And then he discovered the huge mountain of mulch – the energy level shot right back up and he was climbing to the top in a blink of an eye.
The Swing
| April 13, 2012 | Filled under My Kids, Uncategorized |
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By Robert Louise Stevenson
swing,
pleasantest thing
wall,
and all
green,
again,
Of course, having your sister tickle you as you come around always adds to the fun!
I love this time of year, when days are spent outside in the back yard, or at the playground!
Jenkins Arboretum
| April 12, 2012 | Filled under My Kids, Uncategorized |
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Daddy had off on Monday for Easter, so we were able to take advantage of a mini spring break. We have been experiencing beautiful weather in our area, and wanted to take advantage with outdoor activities.
My first thought was to visit Longwood Gardens again, but it’s an hour away, and without a homeschool group ticket discount, the tickets can get kinda pricey. A quick search online and I discovered Jenkins Arboretum.
What an absolute treasure. Regretably, I never knew about it when we lived merely 10 minutes away. Fortunately, it’s not too far away now, and it’s in an area that we still frequent.
The visitor center is home to several of these large watering can sculptures.
The arboretum is an organic setting of native plants.
Azaela hill was just starting to burst into full bloom. Some bushes were covered in flowers, and other’s were still budding.
It was an adventure for everyone to “discover” the blooming plants along the trails
Everywhere you turned there were “alcoves” with benches or seats to sit, relax and enjoy the natural beauty.
The girls each had a camera and were busy finding and capturing the blossoms.
I can’t wait to go back.
A New Family Tradition…
| April 9, 2012 | Filled under My Life Lessons |
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This friday David and I decided to start a new family tradition. We had our own Passover Seder with the children.
Is 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our
iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by
his wounds we are healed.
Is 9:2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
Ex 12:8 That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with
bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast.
Baruch ata Adonai Eloheynu Melech Ha-Olam Ha-Motzee Lechem meen Ha-Arez – We struggled a bit on the Hebrew pronunciation
10 drops – one for each of the plagues
It was an amazing experience for the entire family. The seder is full of symbolism. It was wonderful to see the children make the connections without our explanation. Sophia (5) commented how the “wine” (grape juice) looked like blood. Phoebe remarked on her watery eyes after eating the horseradish. God is such an amazing father – He understands that we learn best through experience. We remember things better when we’ve used all our senses. The Passover Seder is just that, experiencing the death, burial and resurrection of the Messiah with every single sense!
Spring battles
| March 25, 2012 | Filled under My Life Lessons, Scripture & Snapshot |
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Spring has appeared early in our area – we’ve enjoyed weather in the 80′s in march!! It’s prompted me to look all the scriptures relating to “spring” There are the typical scriptures denoting the season of spring, and the wellspring of water, but then I stumbled across this scripture in 2 Samuel. It reasonated with me and this season.
The battles do begin at this time.
The battle to clean the house and get all my spring cleaning completed.
The battle to clean the outdoor and prepare for outdoor living.
The battle to maintain discipline and complete our school work – it helps when we do school outside
The battle to maintain spiritual discipline, avoid complacency and press in to a new level with the LORD.
We know what happened when David avoided the battle and stayed home from war – nothing good
So I’m off to fight the battle, against dirt, against ignorance, against sin….
The battle to decide which photo I like best
The battle rages on….
It’s Potty Time
| March 24, 2012 | Filled under Let's Hear it For the Boys, My Kids |
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or is that party time?
Same thing right?
It’s been a long time coming, but my goal of potty trained by his third birthday next month is checked off my list.
Thanks to all the wonderful mommy friends who reminded me, that yes, boys often take longer than girls; yes, it will happen. And just when I thought I would be caught in this assembly line of diaper changes forever, it did. I looked up and my little guy was tearing around the house asking me to take pictures of him “nakud” in his “emmo” pants.
He cracks me up – I just love this kid.
