Catechisms in real life

Well the kitchen got cleaned from top to bottom, the house got completely disinfected (I'll have to do it again today), and "it" is a GIRL! We couldn't be more thrilled ... except for the boys. Hudson said, "Are you kidding me? Don't you know we like boys around here." He and David had a long talk after that one. He came back and apologized for being disrespectful. This morning he said, "Mom, I really like just having us." To which I responded, "What if I told your daddy before you were born that I really liked just having us and we never had you, would you be sad? What if we went ahead and had you and after you were born we decided we really didn't want any more kids, so we never had Pierce or Alayna. Would you be sad?"

We've been doing our daily Bible study time through a devotional book of catechisms and we're on providence, so I asked, "Hudson, what is providence?" He rolled his eyes a little bit, but answered, "God's wise governing of every creature and every action." I smiled and said, "Do you think God knew I was going to have another baby? Do you think God decided our family would need another girl instead of a boy? Do you think God knows what's best, even if it's not what we want?" He nodded his head to all of that (and sadly it reminds me of the same conversation I had with myself when I first found out I was pregnant). "God has something very special for this little girl just like he does for you." I told him when I didn't like someone it always helped me to pray for them. So he prayed, "God help me to love this baby even though I don't like her"!! I guess we're moving in the right direction.

Alayna pays attention to all this baby talk. She said, "Ah, cute!" Which is what she says about every baby, animal, or clothes she likes. Who wouldn't want another one of those?!

There's a Bucket of Cars on top of my Fridge

This is only blog worthy because someday I'll print this out and Hudson will read it and smile because he'll be teaching his kids the very same things.

So, this morning while I was nursing Alayna (because everything punishable happens while you're nursing or on the phone) Hudson punched Pierce in the stomach because he wasn't helping pick up the play room.  (Thought process: "So maybe if I punch him he'll want to help me?!")  After I sent Hudson to his bed, comforted Pierce, and administered the necessary punishment, I loaded up the big ice cream bucket full of cars and said, "These are gone."  (They're on top of the fridge, but don't tell Hudson!)  You would have thought I pulled out the cat of nine tails for the bellowing that followed.  Honestly, can't we all just get along?

Yesterday was a rough day for me.  Poor Alayna has been on antibiotics that cause diarrhea.  Yesterday she pooped in the middle of every nap, only wanted to be held all day and that was after an up-four-times night, so mommy was exhausted.  David has had a particularly stressful week and I always absorb his stress.  Feeling down, I pulled out a little prayer booklet my friend Steph Whitley made for me.  I prayed through several prayers for my family that she had written for herself and her family.  Thank you Steph!!!

Sweet hour of prayer...that calls me from a world of care and bids me at my Father's throne make all my wants and wishes known!  Sweet hour of prayer...thy wings shall my petition bear to Him whose truth and faithfulness engage the waiting soul to bless: And since He bids me seek His face, Believe His Word and trust His grace, I'll cast on Him my every care, and wait for thee, Sweet hour of prayer. --William Walford 1772-1850

Truly, we are a blessed people who can always turn to a gracious and loving heavenly Father who will take our burdens away.  Sigh.  Smile.  Peace.

Raising Kids

Hudson, Alayna & Pierce watching Kung Fu Panda (which, by the way, if you have boys may not be a great idea because everybody loves kung fu fighting, especially brothers).  Who do you think Alayna looks like?

My sister and I were talking this morning about disciplining our children and using Scripture to do so.  For example, when Hudson was complaining about being bored in Target the other day I said, "Hudson, God's Word says we should do everything without grumbling and complaining.  Are you obeying God's Word?"  No.  "You are dishonoring God and dishonoring me.  Instead we should give thanks in all things.  What are some things we can be grateful for that God has blessed us with?"  However, if he hears me grumbling and complaining about the weather, the huge pile of laundry, the mess daddy made ;), etc, my instructions become null and void in his mind because good character is ALWAYS more caught than taught (actions speak louder than words). 

I will never be the perfect example for my kids, but I'm finding a little humility and asking their forgiveness goes a long way.  So, instead of being the almighty giver of wise instructions from Scripture and creating little legalistic Bible thumpers, I hope I can show my kids that mom has a hard time with that too.   We're all totally depraved.  There is no one righteous.  I can ask their forgiveness and show them Christ's forgiveness.  Sometimes I feel like, I've got to get this right!  These are future men and women I'm shaping here!  I'm yelling and complaining and lazy and I'm failing!  Lord, please fill in the gaps.  It's not just me instruction and training my little ones all the time.  More often than not, God is using them to sharpen and shape me.

Because I said so!

"Because I said so!"...My #1 most hated phrase used by parents everywhere (including myself on occasion).  It ranks right up there with , "Don't make me count to three."  Ugh!!!  

I ran across a brilliant insight that I've been using in training and disciplining Hudson (3 1/2) & Pierce (almost 2).  The principle of authority is not that "I'm the authority so they have to obey me," but "I'm the authority and IF they obey me things will go well with them!"

Scenario:  We ventured to Whole Foods last night with all three children in tow.  Yes, we did.  We did pretty good avoiding major disasters (like toppling glass jar pyramids, etc).  When we were checking out David pulled the cart through the checkout aisle.  Hudson was hanging on to the side of the cart with his brain in la la land.  Three times I said, "Hudson, stop," to no avail.  Hudson got his face smashed between the cart and the wall.  When we got to the van I said, "Hudson, do you want things to go well with you?"  He smiled and said, "Yes."  I went on to explain the verse about honoring your parents and the benefits.  I asked, "What happened in the store when you didn't listen to me?"  His face got smashed.  "If you had listened and honored and obeyed me would things have gone better for you?"  Yes.

It's incredible to see the shaping of a heart in action.  We actually had a lady tell us how well behaved our children were in the store.  I could have laughed and cried at the same time!