Encouraging Realist?? Who Me???

Encouraging Realist

I thought I was a just a dreamer until I met Marty. Now I know what to call my personality since that whole Melancholy & whatever it was didn't sound very great. This might be the exact same diagnosis, but at least it sounds better. Or does it?

If you let your mouse rest on a color in the map above you will find out what each part of my personality is. I thought I had more confidence than that little streak of red, but hey... at least I am very functional... hmmm... I'm functioning with low confidence... and highly authoritative... maybe I should take the test again. nah. I don't have time. Dinner is not made yet & the kids are screaming. I wonder what that means...

Marty the Party Gator

Yes, this is a reference to my Dear Marty. It's his birthday today & I thought I'd give him a public wish since I just couldn't find the right card while the children hovered under my feet at Walmart yesterday. I eventually had to give up because one child just had to "go" now! Aaaah... such is the life of a mother who doesn't make sure the kids "go" before we shop...

A few years ago I discovered a smallish purple t-shirt with an alligator in a party scene. I've show the image here... Apparently, Marty used to have a bit of fun in his smaller college days. Our little Sarah just loves to wear it for PJ's. And I let her. The smile she gives when she says "Marty the Party Gator" is priceless.

So, my dear Marty, have a great day knowing that your children adore you. And here is a wish that they don't have as much fun as you seem to have had so long ago.

**I have just been told that Marty's parents bought this for him in New Orleans. And here I thought it was custom made for my fun-lovin' man.

Tired Already

Time is flying this week as we are trying to adjust to the new schedule. The girls can't get to sleep early because it is still light outside at 8 o'clock. They were so tired and crabby tonight that I tried a 7 o'clock bedtime. It took 2 full hours of ups and downs to get them to sleep. The most stubborn was Lindsey, who had a short nap today & should have been just as tired.

So, 6:30 comes early for my night owls... but they sure look cute in their uniforms.

This about sums it up

"Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing." - Phyllis Diller

I've had kids growing for 7 years. They are not done yet. Last week, my house was mostly clean on Wednesday & back to messy by Thursday at lunch. it just doesn't last. I'm hoping that when my 2 oldest start school tomorrow (Yes, we are having them go to a school, not home school... don't faint, please, it's not permanent.) I can eventually find myself a routine that allows a clean house a few days a week, yet also allows for some free time.

For now, I need to go investigate the crashing and yelping from the playroom.

...sigh

A Mother's Love

I've probably mentioned my kids in this blog before... Well, let me talk about them some more. They are my unique and precious gifts from the Lord.

So, why is being a mom so hard?
Why do I let my 4 year old bring out the worst in me almost every day? ...and who taught her to lie down on the floor in a temper tantrum and yell, "YOU MAKE ME DO EVERYTHING!!"

This came recently after I asked her to go upstairs and get her baby sister's sippy cup from the playroom. I interrupted her desire to run outside and play, I suppose, and tripped the angry cord of her heart, resulting in one of the worst displays of temper yet.

Obedience might be the behavior most sought after for a mother from her child. It's at least in the top 5. Love comes easy, but obedience is hard to come by sometimes.

"You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself?"
Romans 2:21

Occasionally, when I correct my children I am reminded of a time when I was a child receiving the same correction. More often, though, I am giving them instruction that I know God is telling me to do at the same time in my own spiritual life.

"If you love you me you will obey my commandments," (John 14:15) takes obedience to a whole new level. I also recently read John 14:21 and Luke 6:46-49 showing me that love IS obedience. That's a tough one for me to explain to my children. Hugs and kisses and nice words and fuzzy feelings are love, right? Not really. Those are emotional responses to love, in simple terms. But, obeying when you don't want to do so is a truer way to love someone.

"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6

My only hope for teaching my children obedience is to keep at it. I also need to keep being obedient in my own walk with the Lord so that when it comes time for them to see that love is obedience, they will really understand that it's not about me. It's about God and His unfailing love for us. We must be faithful. We must persevere. We must train our children in the way they should go. If we don't, how will they know they are loved?

So, mothers, I encourage you to use the Lord's strength to get through each day. I don't think it is possible to get though motherhood on my own. I'm so thankful for the Word of God and for other moms, young and old, who encourage me every day. Take care of your own walk with your Savior and he will lead in you the way you should go.
Psalm 32:7-8
Psalm 86:11

And when all else fails-- Remember Psalm 46:10,
"Be still, and know that I am God."