Little brothers

My youngest son has discovered the art of copying what his siblings say. He actually calls himself "the copy machine".

As you would probably guess, this annoys and frustrates his older brother to no end. So I told him that when the copy machine starts copying, just quit talking. Then he won't have anything to copy. This worked for a little while.

Then Jake devised a plan to outsmart his little brother. (Or so he thought. ) Jake enticed "the copy machine" to turn on. Then he said, "Jake is #1 and Nick is #2".

To which my quick-witted, little copier replied with a rather devious giggle, "Nick is #1 and Jake is #3."

This immediately sent big brother into a frustrated, screaming frenzy through the house. My husband and I couldn't help but laugh. At four years old, he's one smart little bugger!

Scared Prayers

So I haven't been writing too much on here. Since I am pregnant my brain has turned to mush and it is rather difficult to put together even a simple sentence. But I am trying. Bare with me.

Last night I came home rather late from a weekend away. As soon as I laid down, my youngest son walked into my room crying that he was scared. When my kids wake up scared I always take them back to their room and pray for them. Tonight was no exception. The only difference this time was that I missed my little boy terribly, so I decided to lay down with him while we prayed and wait for him to fall asleep.

I prayed for Jesus to come and sit with my baby through the night and keep him safe. When the amen's where done, he put his fingers in his mouth, grabbed his boppy (his name for his blanket), and just looked at me. After a few seconds he rolled over, but his fingers gently touched my face so that he knew I was still there with him. Since he was having to make sure I was not leaving, I assumed this would probably take awhile. There would be no easy way to slip out of his bed at this point.

But only a few seconds later, he rolled back over to look at me. I smiled. He frowned. Then he said, "Why you not getting out of my bed?"

I guess when Jesus is sitting with you, you really don't your mommy there, too. I smiled and thanked Jesus for the comfort and protection that He brings to my children when I cannot be there with them.

Precious Moments

My youngest son is at a great age. He is always doing the funniest and often very sweet things. I just had to share.

• He was very tired one night after a movie. We didn't have his "boppy" and he was beside himself, screaming hysterically. I tried to calm him down, but nothing worked. As I was reaching across him to buckle him into his car seat, he reached up and grabbed me around my neck. He squeezed me tight, pulled me closer to him, and wouldn't let go. After a few moments, he took a deep breath and said "OK, Mommy. I'm ready to go home now." I love it when I am all that he needs.
• I was putting him to bed one night. As I was praying he reached up and gently laid his hand on my cheek. He kept it there until I said "amen". When I opened my eyes, he was just looking at my face, sucking on his two little finger, completely contented.
• Today he is practicing t-ball with his father and big brother. Big brother hit a double and was waiting on second base. Daddy told him that he needed to "hit his brother all the way home." As you may have already guessed, that was the wrong choice of words. He took his bat, ran to second base and proceeded to hit his big brother with the bat, all the way to home base. Oh the literal mind of a four year old!

Making a difference

So often, I feel like I should be doing something bigger for God. The ways that I am serving Him seem so small. Am I really making a difference?

I was reminded by a friend today what a special job I have. I am serving Him in a way that He designed specifically for me. I am serving Him in a way that is most certainly making a difference for His Kingdom. I am a mom. How could I serve my God in a more special way than that? I am an example of Christ to my children. They watch me and learn who Christ is by my actions, by my love.

What could be better than that?

Blue lips

OK. So here we go. I am forcing myself to write today. I have been in a bit of a fog the past few weeks. I am positive that it is hormonal , as I am due to have another baby by September. We are very excited about this, but also a quite surprised. In four and a half years, I had forgotten how much my body HATES being pregnant. And if you are one of those mom's who love being pregnant, you can just go away right now. I'm not talking to you anymore! Just kidding. I will just envy you form afar. Maybe in a few weeks, things will be brighter.

We've had a lot going on at home right now, too. I am sure that I have mentioned before that we are a foster family. This experience has been a roller coaster of emotions. It has been most difficult at times when I cannot talk to anyone because of confidentiality. These past few weeks have been more difficult for me than usual. I think maybe it's hormones, but also just sheer exhaustion from the ride of emotions I've had these past 20 months that we have had our little girl. Some days are good, some days are bad.

Lately, we have been dealing with the same disciplinary issue, over and over again. Every day is the same thing. In the beginning the behavior was childish. She really didn't know any better. Now we find her sneaking, hiding and lying in order to not get caught. Now it's become foolishness. I get so frustrated and angry when day after day she continues to break the rules, knowingly.

Yesterday, after dinner, the kids got to pick a treat from the candy jar. She picked a small piece of taffy. My younger son chose a fun dip. For those of you who don't know, fun dip has a little candy stick that you lick and then dip into a packet of colored sugar. He didn't finish it and it was left on the counter. Later in the evening, my husband noticed that the fun dip pack was gone and little missy was acting suspiciously. He found her and asked if she had taken the fun dip. She denied it through blue teeth. He later found the packet hidden by the dryer in our basement. Now this wouldn't necessarily be a big deal, but it happens all the time! On a daily basis. I am tired of rebuking, correcting and punishing for the same behaviors day after day after day. It's exhausting..

Today I was reminded of how often I do the same thing. How many times have I knowingly sinned against my God? And then tried to hide it from him - as if He wouldn't know, as if He wouldn't see the blue stains on my lips. How many times has His rebuke fallen upon deaf ears? Over and over again God will continue to train me until I get it right. He may get frustrated, but he is always persistent. Why should I think my children will be any different from me? They are not perfect and I cannot expect them to be. I can only train them over and over again with the same loving care as my God has with me. He is so patient and compassionate with me, even in the midst of my sin. I want my children to see those same characteristics in me as I teach them His ways.

Quiet Time

At the beginning of a new year, I want to encourage all of the mom's out there reading this. We all have good days and we all have bad days. No matter what kind of day you are having, there is one thing that is needed every day. You need time alone with your best friend, your Counselor, the creator of the universe. You may need this time with Him even before you find out what kind of day you are having.

If you've never had quiet time, alone with God, I encourage you to start today. If you have had quiet time in the past, but have let that time slip past you, I encourage you to start again today. He is waiting for you. The greatest desire of His heart is to spend time with you and with you alone.

Here are some tips to get you started (again)...

• Start small. Maybe five minutes, maybe ten. Maybe one day a week, maybe three. Whatever works for you and God. Eventually that time may increase. It's not the quantity, but quality that counts.
• Find a quiet spot. I close my bedroom door and turn on the noisemaker. Sometimes I lock myself in the bathroom.
• I put in a video for my kids. I make sure they have something to do independently for the time I need. I tell them that I am having quiet time and to please leave me alone until their movie is over. I tell them that I will be a happy mommy if I can have some time to be with God. They like seeing a happy mommy. If you have little ones, nap time is a perfect time.
• Have everything in one spot. I keep a Bible, notebook, pen and maybe a devotional book all together.
• Make it a priority! The dishes and laundry will still be there when you are done. And you can quickly fill up your time with "things to do." All of a sudden, there is no time left in the day for the one thing you need most.
• What to do?? Begin with prayer- be thankful, ask forgiveness, pray for others, pray for yourself. Read your Bible. I like Proverbs and Psalms the best. Sing praises. Listen to some praise songs. Read a devotional. Journal your thoughts and prayers.
• Know your distractors and be prepared for them. Your kids may interupt. Make sure they know how important this time is to you. Turn the phone off. Pray for focus.

Something to think about (and maybe share with the rest of us)...

1.What are your stumbling blocks to having quiet time with God?

2. What are some other tips you may have for busy moms looking for a little alone time with Jesus?