I need to blog but I haven’t got any one particular subject to blog about! So here you go . . . .
Emma’s Perfect Timing - As I am cleaning up Lily, our puppy, Derek came over. He said “I want to ask you something, . . . just tell me the truth . . . Aren’t you just a little bit regretting getting another dog?”
Before I could even answer, my sidekick (Emma) says “Get ober it . . . .” (Get over it)
We both crack up and think how did she know?? She’s 2!!
Of course our laughing encouraged her to continue to say “Get ober it Daddy! Get ober it!”
(Derek was against getting Lily. Apparently Emma picked up on this! )
God’s Perfect Timing - One of my prayer requests for this week was grace and wisdom when dealing with discipline issues - w/my kids and those I teach. Well, the woman who prayed for me added patience. I almost elbowed her! (Sorry Heidi) I normally do not pray for patience or kindness. I’ve learned that when you do God WILL give you a time in the near future to practice!! But I am thankful for the prayer because I did need lots of patience Monday and I was prepared. God knew and that’s why He prompted her to pray for me!!
Now today, I am thinking about what I can organize. At lecture today, one of the principles was that God is a God of organization. He is not a God of Chaos. We’ve been studying the book of Numbers. All I can say is Wow! He took care of EVERY detail - who went where, who did what, how to communicate - even a cloud to follow - for 2-4 million people!!!
Michelle pointed out that you see it today when you look at the sunrise and sunset each day. You see it with the seasons and in the details of the seasons. You see it in the different species - ants, birds. God is organized and if we are to be like Him, we need to be organized too! We were challenged to apply this to our own lives. What one thing could we organize this week? A messy room. A meal together. Our schedule and making sure we spend time with God on a regular basis? How we plan and prepare to serve God?
Oh and God even told Aaron how to bless the Israelites. He thinks of everything!
“The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face to shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
The LORD turn His face toward you
and give you peace.”
NUMBERS 6:24-26
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Happy Sledding, Happy Birthday and Where's my socks?
Finally, little Emma got to go sledding, well more like tubing. Cousin Darin brought a couple tubes loaded up with this new "non-choleric silicon base kitchen lubricant that's 500x’s more slippery than cooking oil". I wished I would have video taped this. (Yes, I'm old, I know there is no tape!) Anyways, Emma was giggling SO LOUD and yelled "THAT WAS FUN!!" as soon as she stopped. Thank you Jesse for helping her back up the hill!!
We also got to celebrate Grandma Stickel's birthday on Sunday! (It's very hard to get a picture where everyone is looking. Surprisingly, Jesse is actually listening and looking at me!)
And now the socks . . . Jesse came into our room this morning to let me know he had NO socks. He "turned them in" but has not gotten any back! I assured him that HE DID have socks in his drawer. But to avoid a morning clash Derek took him in and got him a pair of his to wear. Derek told me I could dump his socks out for him to look through - so I DID! He was specifically looking for the socks with a gold toe which you see in the top right hand corner. I think the top middle bunch may truly be too small but as you can see - HE DID have socks in his drawer!! Please tell me this is normal! Have they confirmed that a "temporary sock blindness" can occur in children? Because this isn't the first time.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Cheerleader or Obnoxious Fan
As I left the house Monday, I kept going over the morning’s events. Monday’s are hard - especially the Monday after Suberbowl. Every year we go to Grandma & Grandpa Stickel’s for Superbowl - a tradition they’ve hosted every year since the very first one. (Except for the one year we had to go to Aunt Carolynn & Uncle Jerry’s because it was on a channel that didn’t come in at their house.)
We (the kids and I) don’t really watch the game. It’s more of a family gathering - lots of food, cousins to play with, etc. Derek watches so we’re there till the end. That’s okay, it’s really the only pro-football game he insists on watching.
It's always nice when there’s a delay on Monday but not this week! I knew it would be a rough start! As I drove to my bible study class, I regretted the yelling I did and thought . . . . . . I started out as a cheer leader - repeating phrases to encourage the player (child) to get ready but then I turned into an obnoxious fan or at least that’s what I felt like.
When watching the different sports Jesse’s been involved in I am a big advocate of parents and fans keeping their mouths shut - unless it’s encouraging. My standard comment is “They’re all volunteers!” After running the soccer league for so long, I know how hard it is to get those volunteer coaches and refs. Obnoxious fans are a big hindrance in that task. Yes, maybe they missed something, made a wrong call, coach differently but at least they are trying and willing to help out. So before I get off this soapbox I challenge each of you - parent or fan - to only shout out encouraging words and remember that most sports, at least in our community are run by volunteers! (This does not include school sports but you still shouldn't be obnoxious!)
Back to my original thought . . . I do not want to be an obnoxious fan, shouting out not so nice things at my children. Immediately I went back to being a cheerleader. I’m sure like most little girls, I wanted to be a cheerleader and after realizing that would not be possible due to lack of coordination and other things I became an anti-cheerleader! So could this be? At age 35 I’m now a cheerleader??? Could I be totally upbeat and continue encouraging my children with happy, repetitive phrases each morning or whenever applicable?
Let’s take a minute and look at my choices so far. The definition of obnoxious is: offensive, repulsive. Some Synonyms are: annoying, awful, beastly, big mouth, detestable, disagreeable, dislikable, displeasing, foul, hateable, nauseating, pain in the neck, sickening, stinking, unpleasant. (These are just some.)
The definition of cheer is: happiness. Some synonyms are: gladness, glee, joy, buoyancy, comfort, delight, encouragement. (Again, these are just some.)
I definitely want to steer clear of being obnoxious!! But can I only be positive? Cheering only happy thoughts? Lets be realistic!! What if I take off the cheer? Then I have leader (one who guides) which is similar to the coach (one who instructs). Yes, that’s it! This I can do. I know I can and I even know how. It’s funny how God leads you on a trail of thoughts that ultimately lead you right back to Him and what He’s already taught you in His word.
He has taught me that He will help me parent my children. He has taught me what to teach my children. He has taught me where to teach my children. He reminds me that my children watch me and that I need to set an example and not be a stumbling block. He has taught me that I will make mistakes but He still loves me and will continue to show me His ways. Wow, I could go on and on and on. I am thankful that I not only have a perfect example to follow but I forever have His Help!
Proverbs 2
The Benefits of Wisdom
1 My child, listen to what I say,
and treasure my commands.
2 Tune your ears to wisdom,
and concentrate on understanding.
3 Cry out for insight,
and ask for understanding.
4 Search for them as you would for silver;
seek them like hidden treasures.
5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,
and you will gain knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord grants wisdom!
From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.
He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.
8 He guards the paths of the just
and protects those who are faithful to him.
9 Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair,
and you will find the right way to go.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will fill you with joy.
11 Wise choices will watch over you.
Understanding will keep you safe.
We (the kids and I) don’t really watch the game. It’s more of a family gathering - lots of food, cousins to play with, etc. Derek watches so we’re there till the end. That’s okay, it’s really the only pro-football game he insists on watching.
It's always nice when there’s a delay on Monday but not this week! I knew it would be a rough start! As I drove to my bible study class, I regretted the yelling I did and thought . . . . . . I started out as a cheer leader - repeating phrases to encourage the player (child) to get ready but then I turned into an obnoxious fan or at least that’s what I felt like.
When watching the different sports Jesse’s been involved in I am a big advocate of parents and fans keeping their mouths shut - unless it’s encouraging. My standard comment is “They’re all volunteers!” After running the soccer league for so long, I know how hard it is to get those volunteer coaches and refs. Obnoxious fans are a big hindrance in that task. Yes, maybe they missed something, made a wrong call, coach differently but at least they are trying and willing to help out. So before I get off this soapbox I challenge each of you - parent or fan - to only shout out encouraging words and remember that most sports, at least in our community are run by volunteers! (This does not include school sports but you still shouldn't be obnoxious!)
Back to my original thought . . . I do not want to be an obnoxious fan, shouting out not so nice things at my children. Immediately I went back to being a cheerleader. I’m sure like most little girls, I wanted to be a cheerleader and after realizing that would not be possible due to lack of coordination and other things I became an anti-cheerleader! So could this be? At age 35 I’m now a cheerleader??? Could I be totally upbeat and continue encouraging my children with happy, repetitive phrases each morning or whenever applicable?
Let’s take a minute and look at my choices so far. The definition of obnoxious is: offensive, repulsive. Some Synonyms are: annoying, awful, beastly, big mouth, detestable, disagreeable, dislikable, displeasing, foul, hateable, nauseating, pain in the neck, sickening, stinking, unpleasant. (These are just some.)
The definition of cheer is: happiness. Some synonyms are: gladness, glee, joy, buoyancy, comfort, delight, encouragement. (Again, these are just some.)
I definitely want to steer clear of being obnoxious!! But can I only be positive? Cheering only happy thoughts? Lets be realistic!! What if I take off the cheer? Then I have leader (one who guides) which is similar to the coach (one who instructs). Yes, that’s it! This I can do. I know I can and I even know how. It’s funny how God leads you on a trail of thoughts that ultimately lead you right back to Him and what He’s already taught you in His word.
He has taught me that He will help me parent my children. He has taught me what to teach my children. He has taught me where to teach my children. He reminds me that my children watch me and that I need to set an example and not be a stumbling block. He has taught me that I will make mistakes but He still loves me and will continue to show me His ways. Wow, I could go on and on and on. I am thankful that I not only have a perfect example to follow but I forever have His Help!
Proverbs 2
The Benefits of Wisdom
1 My child, listen to what I say,
and treasure my commands.
2 Tune your ears to wisdom,
and concentrate on understanding.
3 Cry out for insight,
and ask for understanding.
4 Search for them as you would for silver;
seek them like hidden treasures.
5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,
and you will gain knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord grants wisdom!
From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.
He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.
8 He guards the paths of the just
and protects those who are faithful to him.
9 Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair,
and you will find the right way to go.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will fill you with joy.
11 Wise choices will watch over you.
Understanding will keep you safe.
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