My Daughter

Well, This is a big week for work. I do my training to help us create these blogs for each of our ESL sites. (Just occurred to me, some of you may not know what ESL is-English as a Second Language). I teach Adults to speak english. I don't have to know their language...right now I teach a very high level...a low form of GED. So thanks to this personal blog...I have an idea of what I will be doing @ work. And thanks to work for forcing me to do something I have wanted to do for a while.

BUT back to my daughter...She is the perfect thing to talk about and put off work that I need to be doing.

First, I still remember the day she was born. The moment I could hold her, I thought, "my very own little girl". I never had a sister and not even very many "girl" cousins. So, I had been waiting for this day a long time. Anywho...thus started my life w/ a girl. She is 12 now and actually we are doing just fine, TODAY. Ask me tomorrow and it may be different. My husband, dear DAD that he is....says we(my daughter and I) can fuss about anything. But these days I think we are doing better.

Last year this time I took her to a Mother/Daughter conference, You and Your Girl. It is a ministry of Vicki Courtney. It was a one day conference that we loved. Something special just for her. She has 3 brothers and often has to go around watching/waiting @ their sporting events...blah, blah, blah. I liked it so much I wished there was another conference local this year and we would go back!:)

She has been awesome helping out the last 2 weeks with some things so I wanted to take her out shopping yesterday. At the last minute she decided to go do something w/ the youth group @ church...but when I said I would go later w/ her...she had a true attitude of thankfulness and surprise. Like it was a shock mom would wait on her.
She is my fireball...the "strong-willed" of my 4. But I will be honest...I find if I check my attitude, it makes all the difference in how we interact. Those of you with little ones, I tell you even @ 2yrs.old they are learning how to behave from you.
I am following Beth Moore's blog and she has challenged us to memorize 2 personal Bible verses a month. This was my verse a few months ago...it has rocked my "MOM" world.

James 3:17,18
"But the wisdom that come from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."

I don't know about you, but I want to raise a harvest of righteousness...so I pray I would sow in peace and have this wisdom from above. It has changed my relationship with my dramatic, beautiful, special little girl that is growing up before my very eyes. I love her and am so proud of her! <3

What are we best at?????

A quick post of a memory I want to keep....

An ongoing frustration my daughter has about son #2 is that we/I continue to say "you're so sweet and nice". An example: from the time he was old enough to have conversation he has been a giver and thoughtful of others....if he found out a brother/sister/friend wanted something he would say,"I'll ask for that for you for my birthday." Sometimes when his Dad gives out allowances..."here Mom, you can have it."
So last week the kids were having a conversation around the table and the sister was complaining that brother #2 is soooo mean. Brother #1 asked, he is the nicest right?
Well, I couldn't compliment one without doing all so I said, "he is really the one I know usually thinks of others, BUT, daughter, you're really good at getting things done...you're the taskmaster, and son #1...you never complain, you're the peacemaker." My youngest, son #3, says, "what about me???"...He's the talker, but is sad when we tell him to stop talking so, I say, "if I ever want to talk, I know I can count on you to talk to! :)"

This is probably just special to me...but then again, that is what this blog is for, my memories...I hope you enjoy them!

The Inspiration

Well, I had some alone time with the oldest boy today...He is 14 and had to go to the Dr. We went to the weekend office, 25 min. away. So this opened the door for some interesting conversation. It was a similar day this summer that we had another interesting conversation. When you have several kids, alone time that doesn't get interrupted by settling a fight or cooking dinner or taking someone to practice somewhere...well they either have to be planned or ordained by God.
This summer we were out getting him a few things to start High School with and he starting asking me questions like; why aren't more people christians? why aren't many movie stars and athletes christians? Some good questions to ponder...and we talked about choice and how material things having such a strong place in society and that when you reach that place of importance you kinda feel like you don't need God to come in and help you or save you...
The 1st question was harder than the 2nd, and the truth is I don't know why there arent more christians; we did talk about maybe there are more christians but some just don't either act like it or don't speak about it. Really opened the door to talk about living out our witness in little things like serving others and living as Christ in the here and now. I thought about this again this morning @ church. We sang a song that said "I would go to the ends of the earth for you Lord" and I cried b/c that is true, I am one of those people that could do anything where the people don't know me, but get me in a room of co-workers or neighbors and not so much.
I was sad and prayed Lord move me to live my life out loud. I pray my kids would live for God, their God, not their mom & dad's God, but the ONE TRUE GOD that has become alive and real to them...live out loud and strong.
If you have kids...cherish these times to do more than go somewhere or do something, listen to them and talk to them...before you know it you'll blink and they will be big and busy and think they know everything.
So, here's to my oldest...I love time with you and sad it doesn't happen more. I am sorry we were too busy having babies and caring for toddlers to ever sign you up for little league. I am sorry I usually go to you last to see if you need something. You rarely ask for anything...but FOOD of course, and I can't wait to see what you grow into. You were and are a great blessing...a little boy who grew up too fast and started liking sports and grown-up stuff too soon. Make your life count!
"I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born." Jeremiah 1:5

Here I go....

Well, I am trying out this blog thing for 2 reasons: one for work, we are getting ready to use this as a tool to help our ESL sites communicate with one another and the community and I need to teach about 20 people how to use it. And second I stink at making photo albums and memory books for my kids...so this will be my place to share my thoughts and memories, my loves and heartache...the joys of being a mom.

So far it is pretty easy (blogging)... and for those of you thinking, what is your problem...let me just tell you, I have avoided learning tech stuff of so long, I feel like I am on a 1st date. Weird, I know.

So let me share my memory for today....I took my oldest to school @ 7am...while the younger 3 were still sleeping. Came home sat w/ boy #2 for a bit and loved on him...then raced to beat the hubster to the shower b/c I have class today, teaching an ESL/ABE class for the local community college. Before leaving I talk to the only girl and tell her if she can babysit the brothers w/ no big arguments, we are in for a BIG treat or significant $$$ at the end of trackout. Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, they go to yr. round school and are out for 3 weeks!!! :) we are all so happy! We love our breaks, just this year no big trips b/c the BIG brother is in traditional high school.
Ok, after a great class, I go to the elementary school for a conference w/ boy # 3's teacher. She taught boy # 2 and begins our mtg by saying how much she enjoyed #2....but could not believe that she enjoyed the next as much and in a different way....she is overwhelmed at #3's compassion and kindness....and his hardworking and great behavior. This mom did her best to not cry b/c the thing is, I knew she would have these great things to say. I am so blessed and sit back and know it is the LORD b/c I have so messed up w/mothering in different ways at different times, it hurts to remember!! :(
So for what it's worth ~ I don't understand why the kids are always worst when we're around or why it takes almost an hour to get boy #3 to do math hmwk but @ school he is the smartest boy in class....but I am thankful ~ thankful for the seeds I have planted, that my husband has planted are solid, in the ground and growing!

The LORD is gracious and merciful;

Slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.

The LORD is good to all, and

His mercies are over all His works.

All Thy works shall give thanks to Thee, O LORD,

And Thy godly ones shall bless Thee.

They shall speak of the glory of Thy Kingdom,

And talk of Thy power;

To make known Your mighty acts,

And the glory of the majesty of Thy Kingdom.

Psalm 145:8-12