Praying for Your Kids

I got this from a friend today and thought you mamas might find it helpful too.  This is praying Scripture for your children alphabetically. I'd like to start doing this and taking one letter a day.

A- That he would AVOID all kinds of evil (1 Thess. 5:22)
B- That he would BELIEVE in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved (Rom 10:9)
C- That the COMPANY he keeps will develop godly CHARACTER (1 Cor 15:33)
D- That he would be DISCIPLED for godliness (Heb 12:11)
E- That he would be EQUIPPED for doing God's Will (Heb 13:20-21)
F- That he would be a FISHER of men (Mark 1:17)
G- That he would be GRACIOUS (Prov. 22:11)
H- That he would be HOLY (1 Peter 1:16)
I- That he would have the INTEREST of Christ (Phil 2:4)
J- That he would be JOYFUL (1 Thess. 5:16)
K- That he would have the KNOWLEDGE of God's Word (Prov 10:14)
L- That he would LEARN to do right (Isa. 1:17)
M- That he would become MATURE and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:4)
N- That he will declare God's praises among the NATIONS (Ps. 96:3)
O- That he will make the most of every OPPORTUNITY (Col 4:5)
P- That he will be a PEACEMAKER (Ja. 3:18)
Q- That he will have a gentle and QUIET spirit (1 Peter 3:4)
R- That he is RADIANT to others (Ps 34:5)
S- That he exercises SELF-CONTROL (1 Peter 1:13)
T- That he would be THANKFUL (Heb 12:28)
U- That he would UNDERSTAND what the Lord's Will is (Eph 5:17)
V- That he would know what true VALUE is (1 Tim 4:8)
W- That he would have a godly WIFE (Prov 31:10)
X- That he would think on things that are EXCELLENT (Phil 4:8)
Y- That he would YIELD his heart to the Lord (Josh 24:23)
Z- That he will never be lacking in ZEAL for Christ (Rom 12:11)

She Doesn't See

She doesn't see how her disappointment affects me
how I admire her big feelings and talents
what hope I have for her future
my fear when she says "I don't believe in God" one day
and then the next day relief and interest
when I catch her crying in the back seat to a Scripture song
and she says "this song is helping me believe in God."
She is walking contradiction- fire and ice
She doesn't see how my heart warms when I call out
"I love you" from the car window as she walks into school
and she turns to me and smiles that little knowing smile.
At bedtime when she says "will you ever leave me?"
"Will you always be my mommy"
I can't guarantee a lot of things in this life,
but this I can- I will always love you Gwen.

Our Lives

We have just planted our garden this year.  Here is Ben looking at our strawberry patch that has come up.  This is year three I believe with these plants.  They have blooms so I hope to have a good strawberry run this year. 

I chose yellow squash, romaine lettuce, bell pepper and herbs for this planter.  I've decided not to grow herbs in pots this year.  It takes up too much space and this way I can water all in one place.

In the other two planters we have watermelon vines.  Here's to hoping we get one edible watermelon!
Here are my three gardeners.  I made them come out and help. 

I moved the little potty up for Romy.  She is able to tell me when she has poop in her diaper so I figured why not give the little potty a try and see if she catches on.  She pee peed in the potty for the first time yesterday and we had a little celebration.  It's never too young to try. :)

We discovered a new park over the weekend... one with a zip line.  The kids really enjoyed it.

Amazing Grace

So, I am singing this solo on our next concert.  What a joy to sing about God's Amazing Grace.

Everyday Magic

Gwen recently had a musical at school that the first graders performed.  It was called "squirm" and she was a snake.  She did her lines very well and understandably.  Cute!

This past weekend we did a garage sale.  I didn't make that much, but I got a lot of clutter out of my house which is always a relief.  Here is Romy trying on a hat.

Now I am busy painting the upstairs hallway and decorating that.  I'm also making goals for each kid for the summer.  I want to have a more structured day in the summer.  I think that would help us all maximize our time and learn new skills.  Now the hard part is sticking to that! 

Brief Moments

Brief moments at the beginning of day
Before requests and small feet
Hot coffee, the Bible, satisfy.
Brief moments.

Brief moments when the baby is down
And miraculously so does the five year old.
Slumber. Silent. Grocery list to be made.

Brief moments when I have labored long
But house is quiet once again with little ones
Tucked in and kissed and prayed over,
Still so much I could do, but maybe another day.

Brief moments.

Romy Feeding Babies

 Here is Romy feeding her babies. 

Owlets and Fancy "e"

This is how Zeke signs his name.  Look at those fancy "e's"!

Yesterday we stopped by to check on the owlets.  If it weren't for the poop on the tree it would be very hard to detect them they are so camouflaged.  They are coming into feathers now and I don't expect it will take long until they will need to fly out of their nests.  I think they are great horned owls.  I still haven't seen mama.  She stays away during the say.

Easter 2015

We had a good day celebrating family and Jesus rising from the grave. I'm so thankful for the resurrection. 

Driveway Tea Party

Zeke's Questions

Can worms grow bigger than trees?
When kids are left alone do they get taken by bad people?
What is the Holy Spirit?

More Grace

             He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,  

           He sendeth more strength as our labors increase; 

           To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,

To multiplied trials He multiplies peace. 

When we have exhausted our store of endurance, 

When our strength has failed ere the day is half done, 

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources 

Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision, 

Our God ever yearns His resources to share; 

Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing; 

The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure, 

His power no boundary known unto men; 

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus 

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

-Annie Johnson Flint

Annie was three year old when she lost her mother and soon after, her father also died. Annie taught school but in her second year, she was afflicted with arthritis. Within a few years, she could hardly walk and Annie was forced to give up teaching. Not long after, Annie's adopted parents died. She and her sister were left alone with almost no money.

Annie used her long days of suffering to encourage others by writing poetry and sharing it through hand-lettered cards, gift books, and letters. Many were blessed through the ministry of her painfully twisted fingers though often it was wondered how she could write with such refreshing humor and joy while experiencing her own great trials. Annie was convinced that God had a purpose in her life and that He would glorify Himself through her frailty.