Sunday, December 29, 2013

right or left

You ever have a big decision that you have to make and just feel uncertain about which direction to go?  Even after you've spent time in prayer, you're just not sure God's listening because you just can't seem to get a clear answer?

When I was a kid I was taught that God always answers prayers.  Not always in the way that you want Him to, but He always answers them.  Here was the mental picture that some awesome teacher gave me that stuck:

Sometimes He gives the green light: Go!  His answer is yes.
Sometimes He gives the red light: Stop! This means His answer is no.
Sometimes He gives the yellow light: Wait! This means His answer is, well... wait! Sometimes the timing isn't right. He does things in God time, not human time, because God time is right on. It's perfect.

As I have grown up, somewhat, I have had more light (ha! ha! didn't even mean to use that there!) shed on this whole "answering prayers" thing.  How do you know what His answer is?  He doesn't (usually) write it on the wall for us.  It's not always obvious when you look up scripture to point you in the right direction either.  And sometimes the wisest, godliest people don't have a good answer for you either.

When I am faced with a major decision, the way that is His way gives me peace.  It might not be the easiest way.  It might not even be the direction I prefer to go. There might be some major roadblocks.  But if I have presented it to God and have been given His peace, it is the right decision.

And one last thing: my dear friend shared this insight with me some time back (not even sure if she remembers it!) She told me that sometimes when you ask God if you should go right or left and He doesn't give you a clear answer, perhaps it's because He is telling you that both ways are good and He will bless you whichever direction you choose to go. 

As I read back through this post I realize that I have truly been blessed to have people share their godly wisdom and insights with me.  They have helped shape me and form me into who I am today.  Blessed, I tell ya!

KC

Saturday, December 28, 2013

awww, young love

My niece got engaged this week! I wish that I could be there to hug her and squeeze her with all my excitement!!  But she is halfway across the US and so I will save up all my squeezes and wait till I get to see her this spring.

This niece of mine and I have had so many conversations about relationships.  We have no problem talking about the real stuff.  There really isn't anything that is off-limits.  

I have given her much unsolicited advice over the past year, (and some solicited).  Here's a few gems that were given to me before I got married that I have passed along.

First of all, that guy who chews gum loudly? Or snores when he naps? Or leaves his shoes in the middle go the floor?  He's probably going to keep doing those things after you get married and maybe even until the day he dies. In other words, don't expect the habits that he has now to change when he marries you.  So when you marry this guy, can you live with his habits? Potentially forever?
(I have to give my husband kudos here: he has changed some of the habits that I married him with and is a better man for it! I rarely trip over his shoes in the middle of the room anymore.  My habits, however?...that's another blog!)

My husband and I made a pact before we even got married.  We both agreed straight from the beginning that divorce was not an option.  (Now I know there are the "what ifs" that come up, but I'm talking about the everyday struggles that marriages go through).  We agreed never to threaten divorce in an argument and that we would take necessary steps to save our marriage despite whatever deep waters might come our way.  (I was told on e that if you even mention the possibility of divorce, the chances of it happening are higher.)  Do you know how much security that adds to a relationship?  Tons!! I don't have to worry about my husband seeing me at my worst. He vowed to love me for better or worse and I believe him!  And I have done the same.  

And here's one last one: is the person you are marrying going to make you a better person? Or are they going to bring you down?  It's the whole "iron sharpens iron" thing (Proverbs 27:17).  I don't know about you, but I like having a partner who keeps me accountable and encourages me to be a better woman.  My husband pushes me and desires to see me grow.  I am better because of him.

Now there are a bunch of other things that have popped into my mind as I've been writing, but I just wanted to share a few nuggets that have helped in my marriage.  I've already shared all of these with my niece.  And she thinks I'm the cat's meow and always takes my wisdom to heart so I know she has made an excellent decision in accepting this young man's proposal, keeping all my wise words tucked in her heart... (Ha!  We'll see if she even reads this if I get a comment on Facebook about it!) 

Awwww, young love!

KC

Friday, December 27, 2013

the joys of bedtime (sarcasm should be noted here)

So the schedule around here this vacation is starting to affect us all.  I've got a five-year-old who falls into bed exhausted from playing all day long!  And I have an eight-year-old who takes forever to fall asleep for some reason or another. No, I mean it: she has a reason for not falling asleep that changes 5 times before she actually does fall asleep! The bedtime battle: it's one we've had for years. As a matter of fact if we don't have some kind of drama, THAT is unusual.

But you know what? I handle the bedtime drama 100x better than I did when it all first started. (Okay, maybe not 100x, but at least 10x better.) 

Bedtime was something we dreaded. Everybody else got to tuck their angels in, read them a bedtime story, kiss them on the forehead, say "Sweet dreams!" and "I love you!" and that was that.

Not us.  We followed the same routine but our ending was much different (and before you go thinking that we just stink at this whole "parenting thing", that's not the case, usually.... In this case, we had another kid that did just fine with all the normal bedtime routine stuff).  Often times the evening would end in tears (mine) as my daughter pushed every button she could: guilt, being scared, or too awake, or too tired, or the bed was uncomfortable, or she just wanted to talk, or have a drink, or go to the bathroom, or come out to visit us, and this would usually escalate into anger and yelling and all kinds of good temper tantrum stuff because we didn't give in. 

Bedtime for us was usually a 1-2 hour ordeal.  I hate to admit it, but by bedtime I am over my kids - go to sleep and give me some time to collect my sanity again!! But that didn't happen very often.  So I was lacking my sanity dealing with this child (gift of God, I remind myself). 

So I tell you all this to get to a more important point.  In this area of my life, I have grown.  God has seen fit to grant me patience (usually) and a more level head.  I have more tactics and techniques that work better with her personality.  There is more logic involved (usually) because she is older and can think things through.  

God used a very difficult period of time to "grow" both my husband and me.  All these crazy stages that we go through in parenting are making us into stronger people with more character. And I, for one, think character is an awesome thing to have. 

So bring it on, little girl - I am better because of you!!

KC

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

afterglow

It's done. Toys are strewn across the floor. Two overly tired children are tucked in sound asleep snuggled in their cozy new blankets, my hair and clothing still smell like the turkey dinner we had at my Mom-in-law's, and my husband is fast asleep after working today and going back to work tomorrow.  And here I sit in the afterglow.  

And tomorrow I'm going to enjoy the afterglow some more.  

Because we rushed up to Christmas with all our busy-ness.  And with excitement we opened all the presents.  We ate all kinds of delicious food even when we were no longer hungry.  We enjoyed every minute of all of it!!! But I, personally, never just sat to relax. 

So tomorrow I will sit.  I will watch the kiddos play with their new treasures.  I might just stay in my pajamas until noon!  And I will sit.  And relax.  And enjoy the afterglow.

Merry day after Christmas to you all!

KC

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

best gift ever


When I was a kid, Christmas took forever to come around. And when it did finally happen, it took forever for the adults to finish eating dinner so we could open gifts. And when they finally finished eating, it took forever to hand out gifts (but at this point, forever was good because it made the night last a little longer). 

Nowadays, I look forward to Christmas for a much better reason.  Sure, I still get gifts from loved ones, and I love the thought and care put into each one.  But I value my family time now - it is a gift.  My brothers and their spouses as well as my husband sit and joke around while the kids open their gifts. One brother is always throwing a wad of gift wrap at another (I'm talking about my big brothers).  My husband and I exchange looks as our two kids can barely control their excitement.  My mom is always anxious to see if each of us enjoy her extremely thoughtful gifts.  We are now the adults who intentionally take forever to finish dinner as we watch the anticipation drive the kids crazy (just one more bacon- wrapped smokie...).  I love to hug on my nephews who are taller than me and be silly with all my nieces and nephews.  

Tonight I spent probably a half hour taking fun pictures with my nieces and nephews.  That was a priceless gift (and also created a few black-mail photos if needed in the future).  Grandma even got in the pictures!  Do you know how much laughter was generated from those pictures alone?! 

I like my family.  I have been blessed with a godly family who truly love and care for one another, even when we don't see eye to eye.  And on days like today, I will relish my time spent with each one.  (I even got to spend a little time via FaceTime with my niece-face who couldn't make it home for the holidays).  And tomorrow we will open more presents, but even better than that will be the time spent with family once again.

Merry Christmas, everyone!  May your day be merry as you celebrate with friends and family and may it be bright as you reflect on the true meaning of this glorious day.

And now I present my family:
Here we went with cute and then it got a little crazy...






We are so much fun!!  Or maybe just weird - either way, I love them because they are mine.

Merry Christmas,
KC















Monday, December 23, 2013

hymns

When I was a kid we sang a lot of hymns in church. There were a lot of words that I didn't understand at the time.  It was kinda like singing poetry - do you know how hard that is?  You had to learn new (old-fashioned) words and language and try to sing them in a melody.  Trying to figure out what it all meant while doing all that was impossible.

Then one day I grew up (well, not all in one day - it took a while and I'm pretty sure I'm still not yet grown up), and it started to click: the words had been memorized, the melodies had been memorized, and now as an adult I could focus on the meaning, the depth of these hymns and apply them to my life.  

Take these Christmas hymns, for example:

Joy to the world, The Lord is come. 
Let earth receive her King. 
Let every heart prepare Him room. 
And heaven and nature sing, 
and heaven and nature sing, 
and heaven and heaven and nature sing!
 (It's a Christmas celebration, y'all! Sorry, a bit of gospel influence coming out there).

It came upon a midnight clear, that glorious song of old. 
From angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold. 
"Peace on the earth, good will to men from heaven's all gracious King."  
The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing. 
(You can feel that song - the mood is in the words). 

(My favorite verse: the 3rd verse)
Silent Night. Holy Night. 
Son of God, love's pure light. 
Radiant beams from Thy holy face. 
With the Dawn of redeeming grace. 
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth. 
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.
(This one creates an awesome mental picture for me each time I sing it).

Words that have been in my mind for years are finally able to sink into my heart so that when I do sing them, they are sung to an amazingly generous God from the depths of my soul. That's worship.  And Christmas is the best time to worship.

KC 

Sunday, December 22, 2013

the big deal

Christmas. Why is this our biggest holiday? After all, it was Good Friday when Jesus took all our guilt upon him.  It was Easter when Christ conquered the grave along with every one of our sins.  

But on Christmas morning, God delivered hope. He gave us an answer to our prayers.  He gifted us with a Savior. Jesus' birth was the beginning. 

With the birth of this babe, we have received the greatest gift ever offered: eternal life with a God who loves us unconditionally, in a place that is beautiful beyond our imaginations.

All your pain.
All your struggles.
All the troubles.
Every trial.
Every temptation.
Frustrations.
Irritations.
Sadness.
Sorrow.
GONE!

And just like Christmas, salvation is a gift. He gives it. You simply have to take it.

Christmas is a big deal.  If ever there was a gift to celebrate, the birth of a Savior is the greatest.

KC

boredom kickers

Boredom has already struck. Yesterday at approximately 9:00 a.m. We heard the "I'm boooooooorrrrrred!" Christmas vacation had been in effect for less than a day. The 45 ideas I came up with held no interest for my daughter. *sigh* This is going to be a very long two weeks.

So here's my list of boredom kickers:
-Build a fort - the enjoyment they get out of it is worth having sheets up in the family room.
-Build a puzzle together - this was my favorite as a kid. We set up a card table dedicated to this puzzle that would take a half of a week to finish.
-Make homemade play-doh. There's something neat about playing with smooth, warm dough, no matter how old you are!
-bake together (because there are not enough sweet things in your house right now!)
-paint - there are all kinds of inexpensive little wood items that you can buy at Michaels to paint. I cover my kitchen table with a plastic cover and they go at it. Or we just pull out paper and paint on that!
-marble track - we go through our cardboard recyclables and pull out paper towel rolls, boxes, TP rolls and tape them together to make a marble track.
-build an obstacle course - couch cushions, pillows, chairs, the ottoman - let the kids figure out how to put them together for crawling and climbing.
-have the kids put on a play/skit, complete with costumes.
-dance party - sometimes just putting some music on brightens the mood in the house. My kids like to let loose and be silly!
-pull out random craft items (yarn, popsicle sticks, pom pom balls, scraps of material, paper) and commission them to make gifts for each other and wrap them. 

Well, that's a start!  Hopefully we don't make it through all of these in one day...

KC

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

enjoying the busy

Christmas this year seems to feel more hectic than usual.  I can't imagine why.  I'm sure it has nothing to do with the piano recital I have coming up, or the presents that still need to be bought and wrapped, or the stack of Christmas cards that need to be addressed and sent.  Nope.  Can't be all that...

Yes, it is true, I have a very full plate.  But a few days back when I looked at all I had to do yet, I made a decision: to enjoy it all!  

Sure, I can take the craziness of the holiday season and allow it to stress me out to the point of no enjoyment, but that would just stink.  So instead I have chosen to one day at a time and enjoy what needs to be done.  After all, these are enjoyable things!

I like transforming my family room into a cozy piano recital hall.  I set up all our decorations and make room for all the Christmas goodies.  I put a bunch of folding chairs out and wait for my nervous little students to arrive.  It is the cutest little Christmas event (but don't mention that to the boys wearing their nice pants and ties!) They each take a turn rapidly telling us their name and the song they will play, they perform their Christmas solo, wait for the applause before they bow, and then quickly return to their seats.  It is quaint and sweet and I love it!


And shopping for presents!! What fun!  (We put the joy back into Christmas by budgeting our Christmas cash into an envelope each paycheck.  By the time I go shopping, I don't have to worry about where the cash is coming from. That takes a huge stress out of shopping!)  I love imagining what each person's expression is going to be when they open their gifts.  It is awesome when you find a great gift for that person who is impossible to shop for. And I'd love to say that I love the challenge of the search, but that'd be a lie.  I know what I want and I want it to be where I want to find it!  I don't want to go 3 cities over for it. So that part is not my favorite....  But otherwise, it's great!


And the cards.  We didn't send them out last year because I just couldn't seem to get it crossed off my to-do list.  But this year we had our fantastic family photos taken by my dear friend Sheroba and they deserve to be on a card!! I can't wait for you all to see how big our kids are and how much personality they have!  And I'm excited that I managed to pick out a card that matches what we are wearing - even if that was purely by accident.  And I just adore getting everybody else's cards and putting them up for display.  It is a bonus Christmas display. Plus when I go through my list of people to send to, I am amazed by the amount of wonderful friends and family that God has blessed us with!!


So I'm not going to share the rest of what is on my to-do list because than I might start to get overwhelmed again.  But I will focus on enjoying it all because it is worth enjoying! 


KC


Sunday, December 15, 2013

future worry

When I was a kid, I lived in a world of anxiety.  There was nothing traumatic (that I can recall) that made me that way.  I think that's just the way I was wired! I had numerous stomach problems.  I was very shy and often nervous.  There were great things about being a kid, but this anxiety was almost always there either in the background or right in front of me. 

This followed me in various forms through high school where my anxiety disorder surfaced. I had a great support system in my family and friends but it still felt lonely.  A disorder is not something that can just be turned off.  You often feel as though you lack any control over your circumstances or emotions.  I was fortunate enough to fight through and find techniques and mindsets that allowed me to overcome the anxiety. Plus I had loved ones praying for me all the time.

One thing that was a huge struggle was worry.  In Matthew 6:34 it says: "Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself."  This concept was nearly impossible for me to grasp.  If I had a dentist appointment two days away, I'd be nearly sick to my stomach for two days.  If I had a piano recital the next day, I'd be awake off and on all night, I wouldn't eat a thing beforehand and would be shaking with nerves.  If I had to get shots, if I had an important game coming up, a big test, a speech; whatever it was I was a mess for one to two days beforehand. 

I can't tell you the exact day that I stopped worrying so far in advance, but I'm sure it was after I had my first child.  Suddenly, with a baby, there are enough worries and stresses for the day, the hour, or even the minute that you can't even think about tomorrow!! Their needs are more important than yours and if you can get through this day then you can go to bed, breathe and start it all over again tomorrow!

There are plenty of things to worry about today.  There is no need to pre-worry about tomorrow when your plate is already full with today.  And tomorrow is going to happen whether you worry about it today or not!

Nowadays when a future worry pops into my head, I simply tell myself that it is assigned to another day and that I will do enough stressing on that day for it so there really is no need to start yet.  And then I get back to today's bucketful of stresses....

KC

Friday, December 13, 2013

happy friday

Another dozen things this week that make for a Happy Friday:
1.) smiles. I like smiles.
2.) Christmas carols
3.) the smell of pine trees. I burn candles that smell that way even before the tree is on the house.
4.) scarves - current favorite accessory
5.) slippers
6.) caffeine
7.) blankets. I love blankets!
8.) See's candy
9.) making messes with friends and cleaning up with friends
10.) creating Christmas memories with the kids
11.) putting on warm clothes right out of the dryer!
12.) snuggling with my kids

Thursday, December 12, 2013

reading good books

I used to be judgmental.  I still am but not as much as I used to be.  And that's only because I haven't reached perfection yet - my kids and husband remind me of this daily. But I'm trying.

I used to judge a book by its cover.  And by book, I mean person. And by cover, I mean by what they wore or what they drove or how their house looked or how they did or didn't do their hair. 

But I'm sure you've never done that.

Because if you did, you would have missed out on meeting some truly amazing people.  

You see I have a variety of friends who are not perfect.  They laugh loud or are sarcastic or sing all the time.  They can be goofy or immature.  They are young.  They are old.  Their hair is not always perfect and there are dents in their cars.  I've seen them without make up. I've seen them in their work out clothes and usually workout clothing tells no lies. 

But these friends stay up late with me.  They send me funny stuff to cheer me up.  They bring me iced tea just because.  They take me on their adventures.  They teach me things about life.  They inspire me.  They motivate and push me.  They encourage me.  They create awesome memories with me.

And now it's time to turn this around.  I am a book and I'm sure my cover has been judged by many.  A long time ago a dear, dear friend took a chance on friendship with this shy, homely little girl.  Now miles separate us but the connection between us is as if we were still hanging out in high school.  My husband took a chance on a skinny, knobby-kneed college Junior and now he is my best friend.  

You got any books that maybe you need to open so you can see past the cover?  You might be surprised at how interesting their story is.  

That is enough "book" puns for tonight.

KC

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

me and him

So there's this guy I know. I've known him for over 15 years.  We're best friends.  Sometimes we argue because we are two different people.  Sometimes he's immature and can be annoying on purpose.  He likes me though because he tells me so.  He tells me that he likes to hang out with me.  Sometimes I make him laugh and other times he just rolls his eyes at me.  

We've had a couple of kids together (which is okay because I'm married to him) and they are very important to us.  We spend a lot of our time, effort, and money on them.  They are gifts from God and we want to do right by raising His children. 

BUT...there is a priority list in our family: God, spouse, children.  Our goal as individuals is to put God above everything else in our lives.  Then as husband and wife we make it a goal to build and develop our relationship together (which, just so you know, will continue to happen for the rest of our marriage - always building, always growing, always a work in progress).  And then, with a strong family foundation, we invest in our children.

Now I know we only have our children at home for a short while, but that is part of my point here.  I'm going to be married to this guy for another 60 years or so.  If I neglect our relationship for the next 20 years while I focus all my time and effort into the children, where does that leave us when they move out? Plus, don't our children deserve to have a healthy marriage relationship as an example in their formative years so that they might have an idea of what marriage should be when they start looking for a spouse?  I want them to have high goals and expectation for marriage - I believe that's what God intended!

Now I'm not saying that children should be neglected because you want to spend all your time with your spouse.  But maybe they will value you both more because they see the value you give each other. 

So here's just a glimpse into my relationship with that guy of mine.  We find TV shows to watch together.  We go out for French fries and dessert while Grandma watches the kids for an hour. We try to appreciate each other's differences and show interest in each other's hobbies.  We laugh at each other and bug each other.  We make goals together and go places where we can create memories.  We laugh as we look at the humor category on Pinterest. We both have tried to make improvements in ourselves to make the other person enjoy us better (you know, getting rid of annoying habits or starting good ones).  We try new things together and find things that we both liked to do.  We have conversations, and not just about the kids. 

The fact of the matter is that we both keep in mind that we are going to be together for a while yet. So even when this parenting thing seems to consume us, we try to take time for us.  We, as a unit, are an important feature in our family.  

Plus we actually like each other and that helps a lot!

KC

Monday, December 9, 2013

stages, the short and long of it

(I had three great ideas for a blog last night and didn't write them down. Shooting myself in the foot here!)

It's only been a few days since I last wrote but it feels much longer. I guess writing my blog does as much for me as maybe it does for you.  Last week was quite possibly the busiest week of my life.  From the time I got up to 18 hours later when my head finally hit the pillow, I was busy.  But with a few tired and desperate cries out to God for help and with the support of my understanding family, I made it through last week to this one.

So even though I forgot all my good ideas, I do have this that I pondered earlier today: childhood stages.  You see when we had our first child and struggled through the different phases, it was easy to get stuck on how frustrating that stage was: getting the newborn to sleep through the night, teeth making a crabby baby, potty training a 3 year old, getting a 4 year old to stay in her bed.  

I had a dear friend who gave me some advice that I clung onto through those first years.  She told me that all these things are just stages.  You will get through them.  They won't last forever.  You will not end up with a high schooler who is not potty trained.  Eventually all their teeth will grow in.  And sooner rather than later you'll have trouble getting them out of bed instead of in!  

All of this was good and fine and truly helped me to understand that there would be an end to my frustrations.  But I did some other valuable calculations today...sort of.

I plan on living to 100.  I spent the first 20 years growing up.  We had kids around the mid-20's.  We will probably spend approximately 21 years raising these two.  Then we get old for the next 50 + years.  Now I plan on doing some awesome stuff when I get old so I'm not disappointed in that.  But that means that I will only do this whole "raising kids" thing for about 1/5 of my life.  That's not very long.  

It's a stage in my life, perhaps the most valuable stage.  And eventually it will be gone.  So I've made a conscious decision to try hard not to waste this time. I only have one chance to raise each kid and I want to make it count.  

There are some stages that I am happy to see pass (there was one portion of potty training that was a doozy!)  But I'm going to cherish this overall stage of my life because I will be sad when it is over.  Let me just tell you that when the empty nest becomes a reality, I will be a wreck!! But I have also have spent time building a relationship with this husband of mine so that when that happens I won't be alone...but that's a blog for another day!  I guess I should go write that idea down before I forget again...

KC

Thursday, December 5, 2013

never give up

I was planning on getting to bed before 11:00 tonight which would be phenomenal, considering the week I've had, but I was nudged to write a bit of encouragement.  And I try not to ignore the nudges.

I seem to stick on this "parenting" subject a lot.  Probably because it is consuming and what I spend most if my time doing.  But I've got a message for those of you raising the strong-willed kids:

Never give up.

I know I written this before, but it is a message that bares repeating.  Those strong-willed ones posess the will to change the world.  They are going to stand strong and do amazing things for God's kingdom.  They are going to amaze you with the choices they make and the directions they go: things you were never brave enough to do yourself.

(Now those of you who have even-keeled kids, I'm not saying that they won't be amazing.  They probably already are!  But for those of us with iron willed kids: we are going insane trying to raise them and we need a ton of encouragement and perspective to do it!!)

You know something else?  God not only desired that you should raise that soon to be amazing little person, which is a privilege all on its own, but He desired to refine you in the process.  That's right! He's making you amazing too!

But back to my point:

That kid is going to frustrate you.  She is going to embaress you.  She is going to be obnoxious and rude and downright mean to you.  But don't give up.  Keep trying to figure that kid out.  Keep trying to parent them. Get advice from people who have or are raising strong-willed kids.  Get advice from godly people.  Find tools to help you (books, podcasts, videos, sermons). Keep swimming.  Just keep swimming.  And PRAY!!

Because what 's going to happen if you give up?  You will be even more miserable.  Not only will you have to live with a brat, but you will have to swallow the fact that you gave up on them.  

It's a privilege; I promise!  You might now feel it now.  You might not understand it now.  But someday it will all be worth it. Just don't give up on that kid.

KC

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

little steps

We use cloth napkins for dinner at our house.  That might seem insignificant to you, but to me it symbolizes something greater than cute cloths to wipe our faces on.  It reminded me that I can make changes in my life but sometimes I have to take baby steps to get there.

I have this continually growing list in my mind of what I'd like to change about myself or the way I live or who I am.  Eat healthier.  Take better care of my teeth. Be better with finances. Keep the house cleaner. Teach the kids to be more responsible.  Save more money on groceries.  Get more sleep (ha!).  Write a book. Practice the piano more. Be more thoughtful. Be more diligent in prayer.  And on and on it goes...

A couple years back I thought it'd be great if our family tried to use cloth napkins in an effort to save a few cents and be a little greener.  But I didn't want to spend a ton of money buying cloth napkins.  It took a little time to acquire the napkins and to use them habitually, but we do now!  I know.  Not a big deal, but it was the symbolism of the whole thing.

At times my ongoing list seems unachievable.  It's overwhelming.  I want to be all those things already. Right now. But it takes time and some of them take baby steps.  

Our family might not eat the healthiest yet, but I am making better choices in the grocery store which means the kids are making healthier choices at home.

My teeth...let's just say after my last appointment we are going through a lot more dental floss around here!

After years of trying, I finally have an exercise schedule and regime that I love.

Finances.  I can just thank my husband for his amazing budgeting skills and ability to keep me accountable.  But it took us a few years to get that going!

Everything took small steps but the most important thing was taking that first step.  You aren't going to go anywhere if you don't start walking. (Right now at 12:30 that sounds so deep and profound, but it's really not. It just makes sense.)

Thanks for listening to my midnight ramblings!

KC

Sunday, December 1, 2013

tonight's bedtime chronicle

Those kids...constantly working on me.  I've only got two kids.  It really shouldn't be this hard to raise them.  But it is.

Take bedtime tonight: one kid jumping off the wall before she even went upstairs to brush her teeth.  The other exhausted.  Teeth are brushed, potty done, in their beds, stories read.  All done, right?  Nope.  But we head downstairs to sit and watch a bit of TV thinking we might get away with it. 

"Mom, I'm not tired! I need something to help me sleep!  I've been doing somersaults on my bed!!"
"Lay down and read a book!"
"But my stomach hurts!!"
Head upstairs... "Do you need something for your tummy?"
"No, I think I just drank too much water."
Back downstairs.
"Mom!  My tummy hurts!!"  (This is from the little guy this time).
Back upstairs..."Would you like something for your tummy?"
"Yes, please."
Meanwhile in the crazy girl's room: "You need to mellow out, Child!"
"But I don't have anything to do!"
"Go to sleep!"
Back in the boy's room: "Whimper, moan, whimper..."
"What's wrong with you, buddy?"
"Jayne is the special-est.  She is more special than me!"
"What?!  What makes you say that?!"
After some nonsense, I distract him into laying in his bed correctly and give him a big hug so he feels special too.
Head back downstairs...
"Mom, I'm bored!! I'm bored.  I'm boooooooored!  I'm borrrrrrrrrrrrred.  I'm boooooooored.  Booooooored!  I'm soooooo boooooooooooooored!..."
"Child!  Sleeping is not about being entertained!  You are supposed to be trying to go to sleep, not trying to find something to do!!"
Husband heads upstairs to give her a good talking to.
He heads back downstairs after saying his piece.
Slight moment of silence....
"I'm boooooooooored......"
I head back upstairs to have a heart to heart conversation. Peek in on little boy to see him sleeping through the yelling.
Conversation over.  I head back downstairs....
"Moan, complain!!  Complain, moan, whimper!  Whiiiiiiinnnnnne, mooooooan!!"
*sigh*

This is parenting.  This is a pain in the neck.  This is developing my husband and me into something awesome.  I'm not sure what kind of awesome and I'm not sure when we are going to get there, but someday, we will be awesome.  Maybe only awesome to our own kids when they start having kids of their own, but still awesome.

You know how I know this?  Because God gave us these kids to grow us into something better than who we were.  Eight years ago when we started this parenting thing, we were pretty much experts.  Yep, experts.  We knew exactly what we needed to do to be perfect parents and to raise perfect children.  And then our child was born and we took her home and had to parent for real.  Every year that went by, we realized just how ignorant we were!  More and more each year.

But as each year passes, we can also look back and see just how much we have grown.  Growth in patience, wisdom, character, humility (because with children, pride goes out the window, especially when they are throwing a huge hissy-fit in Target!), understanding, humor, and so much more.

So, yeah.  Nights like tonight stink.  We've had nights 10x (I dare say 100x) worse than this.  Those really bite!  But those nights are developing things within us that would never have been there if God hadn't put these two strawberry blondes in our lives.

Can you see the character God is developing in you because of someone He put in your life? 

KC

 Rom 5:3-5 (NIV) Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.