mckmama Inspired * I'm Gonna Miss This

(I know my post just a little bit ago will seem to contradict what I'm saying now, but each post is true and how I feel in the right context)

So many days it's easy to get caught up in what needs to be done around our house or are so tired at the end of the day that we forget about what is even more important. Our children. 

The pastor made this statement on Sunday morning, "Nothing is more important as parents then to BRING our children TO Christ." 

Then this morning I read this post.  My heart was broken.  I love my children.  With all my heart.  I would give my life, the very air I breathe for them.  So, why can't I give them all my patience during the day?

This pregnancy has been nothing like my other pregnancy's physically.  There is a lot of pain involved and the day to day chores that need to be done around the house are so difficult.  I want to cry most days, but can't.  I have to be strong.  I have to keep going.  The house won't clean itself, dinner won't get made on it's own and laundry won't fold itself.

Then I start thinking about all the things that I should do before the baby is born.  So I try to spend time weeding out and organizing.  Most days I'm left feeling exhausted, in pain, overwhelmed, tired, unable to sleep due to the pain and just plain done.  

By 5pm all I can think about is when I can crawl into bed, in silence, and relax for a few minutes before closing my eyes.

When I read the post this morning I just sat there and cried.  

I will miss these days when my children are all smiles, innocent, wanting to play and be with me. 

I will miss the days when they ask for "just one more hug" before bedtime.

I will miss the days of endless playing and laughter.

I will miss the funny, kid-isms that come out of their mouths.  The ones I vow to remember, but forget to write down.

I will miss all of it.  

These children are only on loan to us from God.  They are not ours.  They are His.  He blessed us with these children and it is my responsibility to raise them for Him.  To bring these children to Him daily.  To teach and train them to be godly, Christian adults one day.  To teach them by my example how we are to live, act, speak and behave.

I'm asking God to give me patience when I seem to have no more.  When the exhaustion has set in and threatens to bubble up and out.  I am praying for unconditional love when my kids do "that" again after they've been told a hundred times not to do that.  For strength to keep going when I don't think I can take one more step without crying... 

...And for the ability to see into the future...knowing that when my kids are grown I will want just a few more minutes with them in my lap, but won't be able to have it.

Today I will be more like Christ & cherish every moment with my kids.

 

 

 

Today's Quote

"What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

I read that.

Then read it again.

Then thought about how it applied to me.

I'm ashamed to say I may say things one way, but my actions say something entirely different.

For instance, in my calling to be a mommy:

When I talk to the kids am I telling them they need to be kind to each other, yet I sound frustrated? Do I tell them to get along, yet I am raising my voice? Am I explaining things to them in love or impatience? Do I look at them when I speak or do I say things as I walk away?

I know my children will not learn what I am trying to teach them if I don't take the time to train them. Look at them. Speak to them at eye level, not above them.

So, here are my two challenges this week:

Laugh more

Be sincere in word and deed

1 John 3:18
"Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions."

Parenting...a delicate balance

I was looking through a stack of recipes that I had cut out, set aside, ripped out, or saved. As I went through each recipe I put them into a pile: have tried, have to try, don't want to try, household cleaning recipes and fun recipes.

While I was sorting I picked up an oddly shaped, pink piece of paper. As I read the two blurbs on it I realized this was definitely something I needed to hear today. Once again, I was thankful that God has a way of putting things right in front of us when we least expect it. Sorting recipes...who would have thought I would have had my inspiration for the day doing that?! Pretty cool.

So, here is what was written on the oddly shaped piece of magazine paper I had picked up:

Stop and Reflect - Nicole Maki (Draper, Utah)

The best advice I received from another mom was to imagine that each of my boys has a mirror on his forehead so that I'll always be mindful of what he is seeing. Times that I'm frustrated by the thousandth request for fight, I remind myself of that little morror and check to make sure that my sons are seeing a face of patience and love.

Let Your Home Be a Haven - Julie Kreuscher (Kansasville, Wisconsin)

My children always seem well behaved when they are anywhere but home. My mother reminded me that everyone needs a place to fall apart, even adults, and if that place isn't your own home, where would it be? As always, she was right - we all need a place where we're comfortable enough to have a bad day and know that the people around us will love us no matter what.

I thought those were pretty good reminders, at least for me. I think about the first one more often though. When I'm speaking firmly to one of the love bugs I try to remember that I look kind of "large" to them. They are shorter, and if I am talking over them in a louder voice that is very intimidating and can see mean. It's always better to get down on their level, speak in a calmer (but firm) tone of voice and deal with the issue that way.

Obviously everyone has their own method of teaching, training and discipline, but I pray I am showing my children that I love them no matter what. Even when they are in trouble.

Commited to prayer

"Never stop praying" 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT)

I have been asking God to help me be more diligent in my prayer life. Sounds kind of funny when I say that because asking God for help in talking to Him is actually doing what I'm asking His help for. Does that make sense?

So, as part of my commitment I've been keeping a prayer journal. I try to write in it daily. In my journal I write a list of the people I need to pray for, the struggles I need God's help with, the trials I need strength to get through, wisdom to teach and train our children, and patience. As I pray I go through my list and add as I felt lead to pray. I can't tell you how amazing this has been. Just as a reminder of what I prayed for the day before and I can see how God has answered those prayers.

While reading this blog I read about her commitment to pray for her children. So, I added the button to my blog and will be writing out my commitment (hopefully today).

What better way to protect and cover our children, but through prayer? Even better for our children to see their mom & dad constantly praying for them. This is an amazing example of going to God in prayer for everything. Nothing is too small or too silly. This is what God desires. He may not answer when we want Him to or in the way we want Him to. He is faithful to answer though.

My prayer over the past month is for my will to be God's will. To be content in His timing. To rest in the assurance that God will make everything perfect in His time. I can tell you I have see the blessing already.

I'll leave you with a wonderful quote from Elizabeth George's book, A Woman After God's Own Heart, which I have adopted and written on the inside of my prayer journal. She says,

"Make no decision without prayer."

A good reminder for me today

Children Learn What They Live
By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.

If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.

If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.

If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.

If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.

If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.

If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.

If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.

If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.

If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.

If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.

If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.

If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.

If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.

If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.

If children live with fairness, they learn justice.

If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.

If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.

If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

Also, don't forget to lift your children up in prayer, daily!
To help me with this I printed up a guide as a visual reminder. You can pray for one each
day of the month or pray for all of them on one day. Either way, it
is a great way to keep our children covered in prayer.

Black eyes and big boy beds

Sounds like it should be a country song, huh? Well, it's too good to be just a song...it's our family!

Remember watching America's Funniest Home Videos? Remember watching people walk on the lawn and you just knew they would step on the rake in front of them?

I was in the kitchen peeling, coring and slicing apples when I heard very loud crying coming from my oldest daughter. I usually don't react in panic at the sound of her blood curdling cry because it could mean one of many things. Either she lost a limb or Caleb said he didn't like her mud pie. Either one is equally devastating to her.

I did stop what I was doing and when she came in the house I walked over to her and saw she was holding her eye. Well, right above it. I pulled her hand away and there was a big 'ole goose egg lookin' back at me. So, we put an ice pack on it and 5 minutes later she was ready to go outside.

Apparently she was jumping on the big, plastic shovel she found in the shed and the handle came up and whacked her just above her left eye. I had to try really hard not to picture it in my head or I would have started laughing. Then we reminded her not to try that with a metal rake!

Fast forward to tonight. I was checking on her eye and brought her into the light to look at her. Sure enough, it's turning a nice shade of blue-ish. I'm just hoping it doesn't close up her left eye. It's that close to it.

On another note, Caleb is now sleeping in a big boy bed *sob*. He's not even three and I was so happy he still loved his crib. It also meant he was in one place when I went it to pick him up. That is, until several days ago.

The smartypants decided he could escape by climbing over the rails onto a chair that was next to his crib. I thought I was pretty smart by moving the chair. Unfortunately Caleb had already figured that it wasn't that much further to the ground.

So, Mike had today off and it was decided that the crib would come down and the big boy bed would go up. I have to say that it looks really good and Caleb seems to like it. I'm just a little sad. My baby, my youngest, my son is growing up. It makes me choke up a bit to realize my little children aren't so little anymore. I miss those days.

Aside from the injuries and the big boy bed it was a pretty productive day. I made banana bread, homemade jelly, and blueberry crumble as well as prepped apples for applesauce. Then the laundry and all that fun stuff too.

I think tomorrow will be my down day. Or at least I like to think so.

The child that does not sleep

This is a tale of a little girl.

This little girl is a delight to her parents. She is beautiful, imaginative, bright and loving. She also has an endless amount of energy.

After being tucked into bed, prayers said, hugs and kisses given the mama gave one last instruction, "Now, you need to stay in your room and go to sleep."

"Okay." said the little girl.

Mama knew full well she would not sleep, she never does.

On her second trip out the mama asked what she was doing.

The little girl answered, "I have to go potty, mom."

It was then that the mama noticed the little girl was fully dressed!

"Why are you dressed, lovebug?" the mama asked.

"So, I'm ready in the morning." Of course. What else would the reason be?

See, this little girl is excited because we're going to pick up her friend tomorrow for a playdate.

She is dressed and ready to go.

The End

Kisses make it all better

I treasure the moments that a mama's kiss makes her children's boo boo all better.

I will miss those moments when they are no more! I know they are coming.

When Caleb and Afton (although, not so much with her) run up to me and say, "Kiss", then run away because all is better, I have to smile. How simple the world is at that very moment!

A few pictures from this morning

At 7:00 this morning, this little ray of sunshine decided

to pop out and say "good morning"

Followed by this bundle of joy!
This was during breakfast.
(I really do wash my children's faces before bed!)

Of course, I started my day with this...mmm mmm good!

These were part of our breakfast this morning!
Tasty!

Psalm 118:24 " This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it"

Some of my favorite kid moments...

I've been thinking of this a lot today! What are my favorite times with them? What will be their favorite times with me? Am I making memories with them or will all they remember of me is that I cleaned the house a lot? So, I thought I would put into words just a few things that come to mind right now.

Singing to my children

Rocking Caleb just before I lay him down

Singing to Afton as I tuck her into bed

Know that a mama's hugs and kisses make everything all better

Little arms wrapped around my neck as they hug and kiss me

Watching Afton mash bananas for banana bread (she thought that was great!)

Listening to my children giggle as they play together

Loving the fact that Afton is all princess, but also loves to play in the mud

Building trains & bridges out of blocks and realizing that we need a TON more so I can build them a city too!

Listening to Caleb sing along with me and Afton

Listening to Afton's prayers at night & thanking God for my two, beautiful blessings

Making forts with the couch cushions

Afton's adventurous spirit

Caleb's gentle spirit

The way they both are concerned when they accidentally hurt you (and the hugs & kisses you get after!)

I know there are so many more, but those are just a few of the things I was thinking about tonight!

I am so blessed to be the mama to two wonderful, amazing children! I am learning every day not to take a moment for granted. The day will come when I will miss all the childish things they do! I want to keep every beautiful moment in my memory...forever!

Psalm 127:3a "Behold, children are a gift of the Lord..."

True beauty

I always make sure that my children know they are beautiful and perfect just the way God made them. I tell Afton and Miya all the time that they are so pretty and that she doesn't need makeup to change the way she looks. I want my children to grow up and be happy and content with how God created them. That's not to say that Afton won't put on mascara or eyeliner, but I want her to know that "less is more". With that being said you can watch this. It's a UK commercial sponsored by Dove, The Campaign for Real Beauty, and the Dove Self Esteem Fund. It's a "montage" of commercials that our children see everyday, but put together is quite disturbing.
Make sure your children know that God created them in His image, therefore they are perfect the way they are. They do not need surgery, implants, injections, pills, diets or drinks to make them "perfect".

(I wrote this geared towards my daughters, but I tell Caleb all the time what a handsome boy he is!)