I love Christmas....more importantly, I love the warmth, the joy and the family traditions that come along with it.
As I get older (I'm certainly not getting an younger) I find that I spend more time in reflection, savoring moments that may never come again.
One of my favorite times is when we decorate the tree. We get out the hot cocoa and eggnog, then my husband and I sit back to watch the large production of adorning our 9 foot tree. Our children know how it works (we've done it the same ways for years).
When my children were much smaller, I wanted them to be able to enjoy decorating the tree, as well as satisfy my "OCD" ways. ;). Sooo, I bought boxes and boxes of colorful Christmas balls...we have so many balls that they can put them wherever they want with no worries that someone will rearrange them because they are too close. Our tree is LOADED with these simple little balls.
After the hundreds (seriously, hundreds) of balls are on, then we bring out the special ornaments. Everyone gets to place their special ornaments which turns out to be quite a treat for them.
Once the tree is loaded, everyone steps back commenting how beautiful it turned out with the usual, "I love our tree" comments. :)
I love being a mom. I love the privilege that I have to impact and raise these special children that I have been blessed with. My heart overflows with joy!
Every now and then, I have a special day with one or two of my children. Today, it was time to take my boys out for a " Mommy and Boys Date". They are simply a joy and so appreciative... I'm a strong believer in developing the character of gratefulness in your children. There's not much more that grates on my nerves more than spoiled, whiney, bratty, ungrateful children.
I don't think it is something that just happens but you must intentionally develop this...INTENTIONAL parenting...yes, a rare concept, I know.
Perhaps it is something that you have to mature into, I don't know. But, I do know this- it is something that I strive towards. ...And am trying to teach to my daughters so that when it's their turn to have children, they will get THIS concept early on. ...and now, back to this date night... I didn't go out and blow $60 on my boys and make it a natural expectation of a "special day". For goodness sakes- even if I could, I don't think that would be profitable for them! No, I splurged a whole $5 on a Little Caesars pizza and dug out 2 year old gift cards they had from a birthday and we "lived it up" like nobody's business! It was cheap, sweet and I guarantee it was memorable for them. It doesn't take money to make your child feel special, it just takes some intentional parenting! ;)
...and ultimately my goal is to tie those heart strings
I have been strongly encouraged to write an uplifting post. A post to bring smiles of delight....where exactly shall I begin?
I could begin nowhere but in the next room! You see, I have a delightful family (my greatest treasure and blessing). A typical day around here is filled with conversation, laughter and silliness.
Our day begins when my husband and I get up, grab a cup of coffee and spend a few minutes with the morning news while we wipe the sleepiness from our eyes. As the bottom of our cups appear, we grab our Bibles, spend time alone in prayer and Bible reading. Around seven, our golden retriever, Dolly is gotten up. It is her job to cheerfully wake everyone else up in the house. She does her job well and rather enjoys it! First, she runs to Brittany's room, placing her paws right on her bed. If by chance her face is close enough to the edge, she gets several slobbery kisses before she has a chance to know what hit her. :) Once Dolly is sure she has done the job thoroughly, getting a moment of cuddles with Brit, she heads upstairs to find the rest of her beloved family. Her happy, half-growls, half-barks bring cheer to our mornings! Who can wake up in a grumpy mood with such a wake-up call?
Once everyone has done their devotions, eaten breakfast and dressed for the day, the children and I crowd around the living room, ready for morning school devotions. For quite some time, we have been going through a set of character sketch books for our school devotions. Everyone seems to enjoy this, for the most part. The book goes through different character traits and how they are illustrated in nature, as well as how it is illustrated in the Bible. This is always interesting! I did say that everyone enjoys it "for the most part" because sometimes there are animals that the girls don't really care to learn about...you know, the creepy, crawly reptiles and so forth. But, the boys eat it up! :)
And thus our school day begins! If I am feeling well, I shuffle between those needing help and housework. THIS is my favorite way to spend the day! I absolutely love being a wife and mother- it is the most rewarding thing I could ever do. It is such a joy to have the opportunity to have my children around me, to homeschool, to spend time with them, watching them grow, learn and develop.
It's so easy to stand on the beach and watch the waves roll against the sand...
how beautiful and relaxing it may be.
But, when you stand amid the waves, trying to gain a footing, if there for hours, you may find it frustrating at the wrestling with the tide.
This is a good picture of how life has been for me for...hmmm, well ...a good long time. I feel as if I am out there in the sea, not simply in a boat that's rocking to and fro in the midst of the storm, but rather within the waves, struggling to catch my breath, to gain a footing, to get some respite.
Uhhh, it's a very difficult battle I have been fighting, mostly within. Each day, there is a battle that rages. Will I give into this disease or fight? Fight! Ah yes, this is what I want to do but often, I become weary in this battle. But, really! what other choice do I have but to struggle and fight? You see, if I were alone on this earth, I could very well, pick a spot on the map, and live as a recluse and just give in.
BUT, God has given me a family, a purpose on this green planet, and for that simple reason, I have to fight! I have six children to raise up for the Lord. I must try, ever so intently, to help them to be what God desires them to be. I must give them the tools, practically to be a godly wife, a good parent and spiritually to be a strong Christian. My efforts, truly are flawed but my prayer is that God will give grace and that He will make up for my many short-comings and faults.
What will this result be? I really can't tell. Oh, I can imagine these wonderful dreams of my girls being wonderful wives and godly mothers, my boys being strong men that will hold fast in THE faith, loving their wives with delight and valuing their relationships with their children but only God knows what the future holds. It is up to me and what I do with THIS DAY that is before me. To hold eternity in view, to die to self and selfish desires, to fight with all of my being, all that would threaten God's best in their lives.
And so THIS day, I choose to fight, to face these storms with all that I am. And when there is nothing left in me to fight, then fight some more, to be strong in the Lord and the power of HIS might.
My life is but a weaving Between my God and me. I may choose the colors But He knows what they should be.
For He can view the pattern Upon the upper side While I see it…. Only on the underside.
Sometimes He weaveth sorrow Which seemeth strange to me But I will trust His judgment And work on faithfully.
Tis He who fills the shuttle For He knows what is best And I shall weave in earnest And leave with Him the rest.
At last when life has ended With Him I shall abide Then I may view the pattern Upon the other side.
Then I shall know the reason why Pain with joy entwined Was woven in the fabric of life That God designed. The shuttles of His purpose move To carry out His own design; Seek not too soon to disapprove His work, nor yet assign Dark motives, when, with silent tread, You view some somber fold; For lo, within each darker thread There twines a thread of gold.
Spin cheerfully, Not tearfully, He knows the way you plod; Spin carefully, Spin prayerfully, But leave the thread with God.
