A slave to Christ

Lately I have felt very taken advantage of by my kids. They aren't picking up after themselves, or doing little tasks that I ask them to. I feel like their slave. I have been struggling to keep house work done. I seem to get no help from the ones making the messes. They think this is what I live for. I live to pick up after them. So, as I was complaining and wallowing in self-pity this morning my husband told me to go to Bible study. He told me I needed to go. He spoke truth. I knew I needed to go. The Holy Spirit was convicting me of that. I was listening to Satan whisper to me about how bad I have it, how no one appreciates me, how worthless I am. Lies, all lies. I might feel like I am treated as a slave sometimes by my kids, but I am called to be a slave...a slave to Christ. As my Bible study reminded me, He is my Adonia, my Lord and Master. "God has a right to expect obedience" from me. He is my Master. I am to do His will, not my own. Matthew 10:34-40 says I am to love him above all other. Even myself. But there are benefits to being a bond servant to Christ. That puts me under his protection. "With submission comes all we need for the task He puts before us. Whatever it is, as Adonai He supplies what His servants need in order to perform their Master's will." He will give us understanding (Psalm 119:125). He will be with us (Judges 6:14-16). He remembers us (Psalm 89:50-51). He doesn't leave us empty handed. He equips us with what we need to do His will.

For me right now that means that He is with me in my parenting. He has given me everything I need to do this task of raising four kids. He will never leave me. He will give me the wisdom I need.

We have heard this verse over and over again. But read it slowly this time. Think about what it is really saying: "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7.

I have the a spirit of power, I can conquer the devil and the lies he tells me. I have a spirit of love, I can love my children even when they are not obedient. I have a spirit of self-discipline, I can keep my temper in check and I can get and keep my housework done. Fill in the blanks for yourself. What does your spirit of power equip you to do? Who does your spirit of love equip you love? What does your spirit of self-discipline equip you to accomplish?

I end with Colossians 3:15 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

*quotes were from Kay Arthur's Lord I want to Know You.

How to properly punish your kids...

When they don't do what they are supposed to do, don't do what your supposed to do and see how they like it. For example, today my kids did not do anything they were told to do after school. So, I told them I was not making dinner. It's understood that I am supposed to do that, right? Just like they understand what they are to do. They also weren't allowed to even walk into the kitchen until they did everything they were supposed to. This even motivated my four-year-old to clean up his own room. Food can be very motivating. Bryce brought Rosa's home for dinner for him and myself. Please understand this is a family favorite. Seriously...there were almost tears from each of them when they realized they didn't get anything from Rosa's. They made themselves a sandwich and got some fruit or something to go along with it. I think that my point got across. I guess we will see tomorrow when they come home from school!

Then one more thing happened. And please don't hate me for thinking this was funny. I really did laugh out loud at my son. It was five minutes till bedtime, and our son lied to us. So, I told him to go on up to bed. A few minutes later he came out of his room...with a bloody nose. He was revolting against going to bed and was being crazy in his room and kneed himself in the nose. Yes, he gave himself a bloody nose. Sorry, natural consequence for being disobedient. Next time maybe he will just go lay in bed!

Another day in the life of a mom of four.

3pm Chaos

I know there are others out there that feel like I do. The chaos that is 3pm. The time school gets out. Monday through Thursday it is pretty much the same. By 3:10 RaeAnne and Joel are home. Usually Andrew is already up from his nap, and the baby times it just right to get up when the kids get home. Snack time and homework take place. Dinner has to be made. Three things...snack, homework and dinner...why is it so chaotic? Does anyone else deal with this? Some days are laid back, some days are crazy.

I think that part of the chaos is inside of me. I put it on my kids. I am anxious to get everything done before Bryce gets home. I love him. I want him to be able to come home and relax. When the house is a mess, and dinner isn't done he feels like he needs to help. It's that fix-it man thing. He has worked all day. Had others demanding his time, words, energy, and mind. Home needs to be a safe place where at the end of the day he exhales as he walks through the door. That's what I want.

In trying to achieve this clean house, clean kids, dinner waiting, homework done, put together wife I end up making my house the house of chaos. That's not what I want. So, how do you do it? I seriously want to know. How do you deal with the whirlwind from when your kids get home from school till the time your hubbs gets home from work? I am admitting that I am not a domestic goddess. I welcome your suggestions.

Our year so far...

has been interesting to say the least.

January 17th included a trip to the ER for Andrew when he fell and hit his head on the couch...yes, the couch. No stitches. I don't think they believe in those things anymore. Just glue and tape.

February 1st was Joel's turn to go to the ER due to cutting his hand with scissors at school. Once again, just glue and tape.

February 3rd was RaeAnne's turn for something to happen. She fractured her wrist and still sports a green cast. Hopefully it will be coming off in about another week.

In January Gabriel and I both had bronchitis. Now it's February and we both have the "upper respiratory crud". That is the technical term the doctor used. Bryce currently is dealing with our crud plus double pink eye.

I am sure that in no time we will all be back up and running at full speed.

My Mommy Day So Far

I am just having one of those days. I am going to do a rant. Let me peface it by saying I know how blessed I am, and how bad it could be. I want to just get this out and move on. So here goes.

I started my morning with the boys running around and screaming. That was followed by a daughter that just wouldn't get around and almost made them late for school. I had a ten o'clock appointment to see a school. So I got us dressed and went there. The young boys were all over the place. I loved the school, but then when I got the price list I realized we can't afford it. The three day pre k program is $151. That's a week people! I would have to go back to work to be able to pay that! So, we went to another school to look at it. It was cute and seemed to have things together. It is $200 per month. What a price difference, huh. I think there is also quality differences too. They start enrollment at 8:30am on the 8th of February. Pretty much if you aren't there then you will be so far down on the waiting list that you won't get in. So, showing up at 8:30 on that day is to get your place on the waiting list. Boo! So, we come home and Andrew knocks off a jar of baby food on the kitchen floor and it breaks. Clean that up. Give the baby a sippy cup with milk in it. He is not pleased with the cup and wants a bottle so he throws it on the floor and it breaks! Breaks people. I didn't think $6 sippy cups were supposed to do that. Neither one of the boys will eat their lunch. Bryce came home to change before he heads out of town for a few days. The baby still hasn't stopped crying because he didn't hold him. I am tired and hungry. Blah, blah, blah.

So, thank you for reading my rant. I feel better now. I am going to get the boys down, and then get myself some nurishment.

What Do Parents Do...

when their kids are staying with grandparents for the weekend? They have a late dinner the first night. They go shopping for themselves some clothes. They buy books, that they have time to read because there are not kids needing their every waking moment. They go see a romantic movie, in the middle of the afternoon. They get a massage. They once again have a late dinner, because there is no one that "has to" be in bed by eight. They stay up late, because no one will need a bottle in the middle of the night. The are able to have real conversations with each other without being interrupted.

They also think about their kids. They worry that they are being a pain to the grandparents (ie. fighting or not minding the first time). They worry the baby will get up too much in the night. They wish they were the ones tucking their kids in bed, and giving goodnight kisses. They wish they were closer "just in case" something was to go wrong.

Children are never far from their parents minds or hearts. As my kids are in another state with Bryce's parents right now, I am thinking of them and wishing they were home. I have enjoyed my time with my husband, but am ready for my babies back also. As my parents are on a trip to Florida currently, my mom has called me wishing that me and the kids were with her. I don't think it matters how old your kids get. Their place is always with you. They are always on your thoughts, and always in your heart.

The Van is Clean

at least on the inside. Before I packed up my scrapbook stuff for this weekend trip to Pine Cove I cleaned out the car. I have a lot of scrapbook stuff and had to make room. Plus, I haven't cleaned it out since Christmas and we got home from Oklahoma. So, here is the list of things that I found and brought in the house.
3 hats
1 coloring book
1 baby blanket
1 coat
1 pair of slippers
1 passie
2 cups
1 DVD player
1 bib
4 bottle lids
1 necklace
1 bracelet
1 ball
airborne
zicam
2 matchbox cars
2 head bands
2 leapster games
3 gloves
1 pair of gloves
5 baby socks
1 camera case
and
1 can of deep woods off

So there you have it. That is what you can find in a van that four kids ride in. What's in your vehicle?