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.

 

 

 

Quiet Time Idea

The other night I was speaking with another mom after the evening church service and one of the things we were talking about was teaching our children to sit quietly and sit still during the service.  My kiddos like to be moving constantly so they struggle with just being still.  However, there are times when that is exactly what they need to do.

She ended up giving me a great piece of advice and something to try with the kiddos.

So, her advice was to start with 10 minutes (or whatever minute increments work for you.  We started with 15 minutes) a day.  Explain to the kiddos that for the certain amount of minutes they are to sit quietly and sit still with a book (or notepad) for that length of time.  Also explain that if they start being super squirmy or start talking then they will have another 10 minutes without a book.  Explain to them they have a choice.  Clearly state what will happen with either choice they make and follow through.  Gradually increase the time over a week, two weeks, month etc until they are able to sit quietly with a book or notebook and pen/pencil/crayons for an hour.

So, last night I asked Afton and Caleb to pick up the toys they had been using, choose two books they would like to read and go sit on the couch.  I explained the above and what I expected from them and asked if they understood.  I set the timer and continued making dinner.

Afton did extremely well and read the whole time and even a little beyond the timer.  Caleb did well also, however he wanted to get up after he was done reading his story.  I had to explain that he was to sit there without getting up, however he could re-read his story.  It took him a few tries, but he did great.

I have to tell you it was so nice to be able to have a 15 minute block of peace and quiet while making dinner!  Usually I'm listening to them laugh, yell, play, be loud, run, jump and play with noisy toys.  This was a very welcome break!

So, I think we're gonna try this again tomorrow.  Perhaps we'll do 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the afternoon and keep on the "schedule" for a week or two.

This is also great training for being in quiet settings and being able to handle themselves without getting anxious, jittery and wiggly.

Don't get me wrong...I have no problem with kids running, jumping and being active.  I know my kids need that!  However, there is also nothing wrong with teaching and training them to be calm and quiet when it's appropriate or when they've been asked to.  Church being the perfect example.

So, I'm excited to see how it goes tomorrow because we have other things we're gonna need to be starting on for our routine.  Especially when we start schooling.  This quiet time will be very useful for both the kids and mama!

On Parenting

From the book How to Raise Totally Awesome Kids by Chuck and Jenni Borsellino

"Teach by example. Model what you desire. For our children to develop character and integrity, they must first see the integrity of our character."

Proverbs 20:7
The godly walk with integrity;blessed are their children who follow them.

You know you're a mom when...

You're siked you got to sleep in on Saturday....

until 6:15....

and, let me repeat, was excited about it!!

That was me this morning! I looked at the clock and said a silent, "Yes!!!"

I was excited because it wasn't 4:30am (my normal wake up time due to hubby's work schedule), and I still had time to shower and get a cup of coffee before I heard the pitter patter of little feet running to say good morning!

So, today is a rainy Saturday and I even heard a rumble of thunder a little earlier. Only one rumble.

Mike is taking Afton and Miya to Lowe's for their workshop hour. Today they are making an ant house. (Just what I need crawling around, right?) This will be perfect for Afton since she is all about the bugs and creepy crawlies!

I'm hoping to get out with Miya a little bit later and go find a book for her. She wanted "her own" book, not a "borrowed" book from me. I totally get that so, sure, why not, right?

I also need to go through Caleb's 3T clothes and wash them all. He's growing so fast and it's time to switch over to the bigger size. Speaking of growing, I just KNOW Afton skipped size 5. She went from 4T to 6 and it seemed like it happened overnight. She is 4 1/2, but tall and still growing!

Until then I will relax with my cup of coffee, listen to the rain, listen to Caleb's feet on the wall (he's awake, but not fussing to get up, so he's good for a bit longer), and just chill out.

Enjoy your Saturday!

(If I see or think of something cool I'll be back)

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..."