It's Part Of My Job

I have struggled for years with the guilt that comes at the end of my day.  If you are a parent, you know the guilt I refer to.  There are days that feel like all I have done is fuss and get on to my kids.  Satan loves to tell me that if I were a better mom I wouldn't be fussing so much.  This used to really get me down.  Okay, truth is, it still does.  But when I tell Satan to leave me alone, and I listen to God's word, I hear the truth.  The truth is, that is my job!  I am the mom and that is how my kids learn.  My job is to train them up in the way they should go.  It is in their nature to test the limits and even blatantly defy me.  (Does this sound like our relationship with God?)  It can be exhausting to be constantly reinforcing the limits to my children, but it is important.  And, hopefully, the older they get the easier it will become.  That is the point of my job, right?  To put myself out of a job.  To make them less dependent on me and more dependent on God. 

So, to Satan, get behind me.  I have a job to do!

R U listening?

Have you noticed that you are repeating yourself more often? Or maybe feel like what you just said wasn't heard at all?  I know I'm feeling both of these.  Is it that everyone I know is suddenly hard of hearing? Or maybe I'm mumbling.  I don't think so!  I think in this high tech world where we are supposed to be able to keep in touch easier than ever, we are paying less attention to each other.  Next time you go out to eat, look at the people at the tables around you.  Are they deep in conversation? Doubtful.  Are they even looking at each other? Probably not.  I'm not sure they are even aware there is another person at the table!  In my experience, they are on their smartphones, tablets and similar devices checking the weather, their email, updating their profile (no one really cares that you are out to eat with whomever is sitting across from you) or playing games!

We recently were out to eat and observed a family.  Both of the parents were on their respective devices and hardly spoke a word to each other or their beautiful young daughter (I'm guessing around 4-5 years old).  In this busy world we live in, where in most cases, both parents are having to work outside of the home, what a waste of an opportunity to spend time together.

I'm not against the use of our great technology, I'm typing this blog on my tablet now.  But we cannot forget to connect to each other when we are together and our children need us to teach them the art of conversation!

How do they know?

Have you ever been on the phone talking, then you hear it?  Or, you're cleaning the house with the news on in the background when something catches your ear.  You're really trying to listen to what they are saying when you hear it.  "Mom!......Mom!.....Mooooommmmm!"   How do they know?  You can be totally available for hours and they need nothing from you.  You can spend your day cleaning, or browsing the internet, whatever.  But as soon as you are distracted, there they are.  They need something and they need. it. now! 

But then you have the cutest little conversation with them, like I had tonight with C as I was putting him to bed.  I asked him where God lives.  After thinking for a second he said, "in a castle!" 
Me: Where is the castle?
He has no answer, so I help him with "heaven"
Me: Where is heaven?
C: In the road!
Me: What road?
C (as he's holding up 1 finger): This one!

OK, so I'm not really sure what that meant, but it was stinkin' cute!

Happy Birthday, Grandma

My best childhood memories come from times spent with my grandparents.  Every summer they would take me and my cousins camping for a week.  The day after Thanksgiving we would all load up and go to Nashville to go shopping for the day.  (I was young then, but I don't think it was as crazy then as it is now!) Did I mention there were six of us cousins ranging in ages by about a 7 year spread?  We had some great times that created really great memories.  I wish every child could have grandparents as good as mine.  They not only had a great time with us, but they also set good examples for us.  I can't remember a time when they were not involved in church.  They were always considerate to everyone they met and were respected by all who have known them.

Today would have been my grandmother's 87th birthday.  Unfortunately, we lost her a little more than three years ago.  She was a great lady, an awesome cook, and one of the best grandmas anyone could have.  She had five children, one of which was waiting for her in heaven when she arrived.  She had ten grandchildren (some were added after those camping days!) one of which also was waiting for her in heaven.  When she passed, she had four great children, but within a year of her passing three more would be added, with two more expected this year!

She was truly a blessing to our family and is dearly missed.

Grandma with B

 Happy birthday, Grandma!

Sprinkles, please!

B loves to do projects. It can be arts and crafts, helping with cooking or a game. I came up with an idea for a project she could do that would also be a fun snack for her and C. It was very simple but ended with a cute and yummy product.

We used:
Vanilla wafers
Chocolate almond bark
Peanut butter
Marshmallow cream
And of course, sprinkles!

Melt chocolate in microwave safe bowl in 30 second intervals until melted.  Dip wafers in chocolate.  For some we spread either peanut butter or marshmallow cream on the wafers before we dipped them. Next we decorated with sprinkles.  Allow to cool at room temperature on wax or parchment paper until chocolate is set.

B had a lot of fun making these.  They were pretty yummy too!  My favorite was the ones with peanut butter!



Chocolate Wafer



Wafers Before They're Dipped

B Showing Off Her Project
 

 

I'm not too disappointed I missed the Super Bowl

I did not watch the Super Bowl.  I'm just not into football!  I usually do like to watch the commercials, like most of us do.  I had to work this past Sunday and missed it, but the news networks are making sure I see at least one of the commercials.  The one I would most like to miss.  Once again, Carl Jr's/Hardees is at their offensive best.  I'm not sure how families in this country have not made their voice heard loud and clear.  This company has managed to offend every member of the family, but most people just see it as humerous!  They repeatedly use women as sex objects, (don't know about you, but I've never eaten a burger while topless on the beach, and I'm quite certain, the women in their commercials never have either!), depict men as unintelligent and too dense to manage to take care of preparing food for themselves, and, a few years ago they made it clear that children were not their target demographic.  And if you are wondering, yes, I have made it clear that I am no longer a patron to their restaurant.  But I do miss those biscuits!

Proverbs 31

Wow! What a title for a blog, right? Sounds a little supercilious.  Believe me, I do not think of myself as 'an excellent wife.'  Rather, it is the goal I have for myself provided by God in Proverbs 31.  I alone cannot achieve this goal, but only by God living in me.

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. Proverbs 31:10-11 (ESV) Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her (ESV)

In future posts, I will share stories  from my life as a working mom and wife and probably some random thoughts as well!  As you read along, it will become painfully clear that I am far from excellent, but I'm trying everyday!