So today I took the four kids to McDonald's for our end of the month "Pat on the Back" for a job well done. We all got chicken nuggets, fries and a soda. We laughed together as we ate our meal and watched other kids playing. The highlight of our trip, for my kids, is getting to play in the playground for an hour. Today there were lots of kids in the playground as it is Spring Break here in Cobb County and its also rainy today so many many parents have brought their restless children out to the fast food joints. (Chik Fil A was full)
I sat back and watched my children play and was so proud of them as I watched them put others first and readily forgive the pushes and proding of other children. One child that was there was particularly bad at the pushing, proding and attempts at biting, which made these instances almost overwhelming. He was there with his teenage babysitter who seemed to be at her witts end.
One of my kids noticed this boy was trying to bite his brother and quickly swooped in. He first moved his brother away from the boy, then he turned to the boy and told him very point blank, "You need Jesus, do you know who He is?" The little boy said "NO, and I don't need anybody!" My son not missing a beat began to go through the gospel with this little boy.
I watched amazed at the knowledge that my son had gathered and was using so well. I was convicted to the core as I sat and pondered how long it had been since I shared Christ with a stranger. I'm always worried about what they would think of me and not that their very eternal soul is at risk. I also have the same knowlege my son does but honestly can't remember when I used it last other than sharing it with my children. My son had no quams sharing with this little boy. He just saw a boy in need of a Savior and a forgiveness he had not yet experienced. I immediately had to pray that the Lord would give me the courage that my son was now showing in sharing His Love with strangers.
The little boy did not accept the invitation to accept Christ as his Savior. But my son was proud of himself that he had done what Christ had asked him to do. When I asked why he started sharing the Love of Jesus with him he simply answered "Because God told me too."
If only we as adults would share the Love of Jesus with all who are in need. Those who are hurting, those who are lost, without the fear that Satan has placed in our hearts. Imagine what our world would be like if we obeyed when God said to share.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Chores
I've been struggling with getting my kids to do their chores. I don't know why.. It is one of my most "favorite" activities. So, I've been looking for ideas to spice up our chore life. For the last few years I have used a card/slot system in which there were cards hung on a peg board and as they finished the card they got to put that card in the slot at the bottom. This worked well for a long time. But I guess as with everything it gets old at some point.
I've read many many many blogs and several books that touch on this subject of chores. Chores being something that has to be done for the betterment of the family. We are not including cleaning our rooms, brushing our teeth and things that must be done for each person each day. More of the weekly cleaning type chores. ie: sweeping the front and back porch, sweeping the stairs, cleaning the playroom (thoroughly) washing the bathroom mirror, washing hand rails etc. Today we tried making a list of chores for each person (age appropriate of coarse) and color coding them to match that person. Then we folded and put all of these in a bowl and let the kids draw out their next chore.
This worked great. The kids were so excited to try something new. The chores hadn't changed just our approach. I also told them that one chore for each of them was marked with a star. That chore when it was picked they could bring to me. When they brought it to me they were given then option to earn money for that chore or they could have my help doing the chore. Ya, know not one kid picked my help... Oh, well.
Each chore had to be checked by me when they were done before they could pick a new one. And you know they had finished all their chores in less than half an hour where it had been taking us close to two hours before. I'm very excited at our change.
I'd love to hear if any of ya'll have chore ideas you use in your home. Please share them with us!
I've read many many many blogs and several books that touch on this subject of chores. Chores being something that has to be done for the betterment of the family. We are not including cleaning our rooms, brushing our teeth and things that must be done for each person each day. More of the weekly cleaning type chores. ie: sweeping the front and back porch, sweeping the stairs, cleaning the playroom (thoroughly) washing the bathroom mirror, washing hand rails etc. Today we tried making a list of chores for each person (age appropriate of coarse) and color coding them to match that person. Then we folded and put all of these in a bowl and let the kids draw out their next chore.
This worked great. The kids were so excited to try something new. The chores hadn't changed just our approach. I also told them that one chore for each of them was marked with a star. That chore when it was picked they could bring to me. When they brought it to me they were given then option to earn money for that chore or they could have my help doing the chore. Ya, know not one kid picked my help... Oh, well.
Each chore had to be checked by me when they were done before they could pick a new one. And you know they had finished all their chores in less than half an hour where it had been taking us close to two hours before. I'm very excited at our change.
I'd love to hear if any of ya'll have chore ideas you use in your home. Please share them with us!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Lessons in life
Yesterday it snowed in MO. As soon as I told my kids they said, "mom, why did we move here? We want to be where it snowed". I also had a small tinge of sadness and regret come over me as I love snow! But as a mom who wants to support her husband and all he does for us, sucked it up and told them that we moved here to enjoy so much more.
We can enjoy the snow through pictures while everyone there is wishing they could be here where it was 72 degrees by 11 a.m. We can go sit on our back porch and draw a beautiful tree in full bloom in the second week of March. We can learn about the "thumping" rituals of woodpeckers who are native here and experience it firsthand as one has decided our fireplace chimney is the perfect home. (and since it is against the law to move, touch or otherwise disrupt these birds..we will get to study this nice family of birds for a while) I put on a face of excitement and joy but inside was feeling slight bitterness and alot of sadness.
But funny thing... Lord is showing me that I need to be an example to my kids. They are taking cues from me. If I am crabby and cranky guess what so are they. Therefore I need to be excited about Spring coming earlier than I expect or wanted. I need to be thrilled at the prospects of learning new things about our surroundings. I want to be an encouragement to my children. I don't want them to remember their move to Atlanta as a drudgery and a let down. I want them to be happy for Daddy as he is in a job he loves.
So as we explore our new surroundings we are finding what plants grow well here, what animals are prevalent. And we are making a list of all the neat places that we will get to visit over the next year that we otherwise would not have gotten to see. :) I am now excited that we get to share this time together and explore a whole new world in this Life that the Lord has graciously granted.
We can enjoy the snow through pictures while everyone there is wishing they could be here where it was 72 degrees by 11 a.m. We can go sit on our back porch and draw a beautiful tree in full bloom in the second week of March. We can learn about the "thumping" rituals of woodpeckers who are native here and experience it firsthand as one has decided our fireplace chimney is the perfect home. (and since it is against the law to move, touch or otherwise disrupt these birds..we will get to study this nice family of birds for a while) I put on a face of excitement and joy but inside was feeling slight bitterness and alot of sadness.
But funny thing... Lord is showing me that I need to be an example to my kids. They are taking cues from me. If I am crabby and cranky guess what so are they. Therefore I need to be excited about Spring coming earlier than I expect or wanted. I need to be thrilled at the prospects of learning new things about our surroundings. I want to be an encouragement to my children. I don't want them to remember their move to Atlanta as a drudgery and a let down. I want them to be happy for Daddy as he is in a job he loves.
So as we explore our new surroundings we are finding what plants grow well here, what animals are prevalent. And we are making a list of all the neat places that we will get to visit over the next year that we otherwise would not have gotten to see. :) I am now excited that we get to share this time together and explore a whole new world in this Life that the Lord has graciously granted.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Use of Books
I am a huge sucker for books. I love books. Kid books, adult fiction, how to's, it doesn't matter. I love books. To prove this I have hundreds of books all over my house. I have books on shelves, on coffee tables, in coffee tables, in boxes, on the floor of my bed room, stacked on tables way too high.
If that is not enough, I love to go to the library and find new books to read. I really love to go to book fairs, book sales, garage sales with books. I just can't get enough books.
Recently I have found myself reading books about being organized, a good homemaker, a good wife etc. These have inspired me to be "super mom". Then when I go to sleep I dream of all these great things I'm going to do, like wake up before my kids and clean the kitchen, get a load of laundry in and actually cook breakfast instead of pour a bowl of cereal. However, when morning comes this does not happen. I find I give the kids their first task of the morning while I'm still lying in bed. As they finish their morning chores I'm just crawling out of bed and fumbling into the kitchen to pour a bowl of cereal as I am not motivated enough yet to make that nice yummy breakfast I was so motivated to do the night before.
Two conclusions I've drawn from this. A) I'm not a morning person. I have grand ideas and intentions in the evening but come morning that all has faded all into oblivion. B) I'm lazy. Yup that's right, I've come to the conclusion that I am lazy. I have not set my mind to something well enough to actually do it.
It is all fine and good to read these great books and be super excited to implement some of the ideas found in these great books but unless I'm willing to actually get off my duff and do them it is no good continuing to peruse the book stores, library and my own stash if I don't make myself actually do something about it. I am just wasting time reading about what I should be doing. Hopefully, I will set my mind to actually being a little less lazy very soon!
If that is not enough, I love to go to the library and find new books to read. I really love to go to book fairs, book sales, garage sales with books. I just can't get enough books.
Recently I have found myself reading books about being organized, a good homemaker, a good wife etc. These have inspired me to be "super mom". Then when I go to sleep I dream of all these great things I'm going to do, like wake up before my kids and clean the kitchen, get a load of laundry in and actually cook breakfast instead of pour a bowl of cereal. However, when morning comes this does not happen. I find I give the kids their first task of the morning while I'm still lying in bed. As they finish their morning chores I'm just crawling out of bed and fumbling into the kitchen to pour a bowl of cereal as I am not motivated enough yet to make that nice yummy breakfast I was so motivated to do the night before.
Two conclusions I've drawn from this. A) I'm not a morning person. I have grand ideas and intentions in the evening but come morning that all has faded all into oblivion. B) I'm lazy. Yup that's right, I've come to the conclusion that I am lazy. I have not set my mind to something well enough to actually do it.
It is all fine and good to read these great books and be super excited to implement some of the ideas found in these great books but unless I'm willing to actually get off my duff and do them it is no good continuing to peruse the book stores, library and my own stash if I don't make myself actually do something about it. I am just wasting time reading about what I should be doing. Hopefully, I will set my mind to actually being a little less lazy very soon!
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