Where did the time go?

Psalm 103:5-6, "He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle's! The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly." (NLT)

Today my darling children turn nine.  As my husband and I lay awake last night, we took a walk down memory lane and how far we have come.  The years have gone by so quickly and we truly feel blessed to have overcome so much and have such beautiful children.  They really have come a long way: born 10 weeks early, Michelle was diagnosed with mild CP as an infant, Daniel had complications with lung development...yet here we are....9-years-old.  Unbelievable.

Now it's morning, one child is delighted about the birthday day and can not wait to get to school. The other is bouncing all over the house, I'm just waiting for something to fall and break.  What was that feeling I had last night?  Blessed?  How about stressed? 

They may be twins, but they are so different from one another.  Personalities have definitely been  formed and there are days I struggle to figure out the right formula for parenting each of them.  These first four years of school have been enlightening and continue to challenge me.  The difficulties I face as a parent, simply helping with homework, make me want to pull my hair out and scream.  I can not imagine how a teacher of over twenty students manages to reach every one of them.  Confession - teachers amaze me.

What I have learned is that there is no perfect parenting formula.  What works for one kid may not work for another.  The seemingly perfect algorithm that works one day, could completely miss the mark the next.  We were not made to be robotic followers of this world's formulas (although my son sometimes thinks he's a robot!).  God constantly reminds me that we are made to be transformed by Him and to be unique. The truth is, when I follow Jesus' teachings I take the time to breathe, reflect and pray with my children.  Only then am I able to appreciate their individual qualities, embrace it and help them to complete their tasks.

Today I do not only celebrate Daniel and Michelle's birthday, I also celebrate their uniqueness.

 

 

 

 

 

Faith vs. Fairytale

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, he carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He's coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day
- song lyrics (Casting Crowns)

Spring has not really sprung here in the Berkshires (we had snow covering our lawn, the day before Easter!), but it is spring in our hearts; the season of rebirth!  This holiday is full of new life and hope.  Hands down, Easter is my FAVORITE holiday.  I am humbled and awestruck by the reminder of what Jesus has done for all of us.


The burning question: is there way to find balance between the Easter Bunny and the story of Jesus?  My husband and I are working together to raise our children with an appreciation  and understanding of the Christian, spiritual values behind this holiday, while having fun partaking in the silly things as well.  You know...baskets, decorating eggs, chocolate bunnies, cookies, new clothes, a new toy...did I mention chocolate?

None of these things really has anything to do with Jesus, his death or resurrection.  Yet somehow all the time spent together having senseless fun, builds traditions and make memories.  Should I be worried that my children will be confused or unsure of their faith?  Honestly, yes I am concerned, but let me tell you this story.  During the Easter service, my 7 1/2 year old daughter grabbed a pew Bible and asked me where she could find the Easter Story.  I directed her to Matthew 28, she sat quietly and read to herself.  That give me hope. 

     How do you find balance?

Monday's Menu Plans

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. (Matthew 6:26)

I have faith that the Lord will provide for my family, as long as we continue to be faithful.  However, a little planning ahead can't hurt...

Here's this week's outlook:
Tonight was crock pot scalloped potatoes with (Easter) ham
Tuesday - salisbury steak with a pasta medley
Wednesday - roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans
Thursday - spaghetti and meatballs (leftover from last week)
Friday - Pizza and salad
Saturday - Turkey with stuffing, gravy & asparagus
Sunday - (more leftover Easter) ham and cheese brunch squares
Monday - roast chicken & veggies, with almond rice pilaf



Menu Planning Monday

She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. (Proverbs 9:2)

For a few years now, I have developed the habit of searching the local stores sales fliers and creating my grocery list.  First it started with buying only what was on sale.  Eventually it became, sales papers on one side and my recipe book on the other.  I must confess, I love it!  Trying to find new things for my family to eat is fun for me.  Now each week I create the dinner menu, and buy exactly what I will need for each recipe. 

This coming week has proved to be a bit of a challenge for me.  We will be travelling one day and hosting my adorable 5-year nephew for a few days.  While my children are used to their mother's experiments, I don't want "torture" the little guy.

My "good friend" Laura at Heavenly Homemakers has her menu planning down to an art (she includes breakfast, lunch and dinner), I am not so disciplined. AND with Easter approaching, my mother takes care of the weekend feasting!

Here's our week at a quick glance:
Tonight was - meatballs & sauce (crock pot), pasta and salad
Tuesday - fish, carrots and mashed potatoes
Wednesday - (travelling) turkey salad wraps, chips and fruit
Thursday - grilled cheese and soup
Friday - Mac & Cheese (crock pot) and asparagus
Saturday - dinner at mom's
Sunday - dinner at mom's
Monday - scallop potatoes (crock pot), ham and green beans

Meal planning has helped me to manage my time, with just one trip to the market each week.  Less time shopping = more time at home. 

What time savers do you use in the kitchen?

Keep moving forward....

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up....
1 Thessalonians 5:11


Fitness is something that I usually let pass. Sadly, I only get into fitness when I feel certain signs of weight gain, or after an appointment with my health coach. In this big, busy world, doing routine exercise seems to be too much. So when my childrens' school decided to make the annual spring fundraiser a 5K Race....oh boy....

My children are so excited about the READ-WRITE-RUN 5K Race! The whole school is involved and everyone is getting ready. I decided to make a commitment to my kids, "we will walk or jog, every day after school for 30 minutes". It's amazing what will make a child's face light up with such pure joy. Those looks alone told me, there is no turning back now.

We decided our start date with be the first of April. The first few days were very enjoyable, however the Berkshire weather likes to play games with it's residents. Snow and rain, rain and snow...is my promise weather proof? I thought, I can't make this happen, they will need to live with the disappointment. The idea of giving up and what that would teach my children kept spinning around in my mind. NO! Find a way.

FINALLY, it occurred to me. I went through my plethora of exercising DVDs (there are many in that "New Year Resolution" drawer) and I pulled out a Walk Fit DVD.  The three of us put on our sneakers and took a 2-mile walk in the living room. They loved it!

I am truly encouraged by their enthusiasm and look forward to a life long journey of this quality time with my children.

We are looking forward to the 5K Race on April 30th. Stay tuned to find out how we do!

Small Celebrations

The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace." Psalms 29:11

In our family we enjoy celebrating holidays, both big and small.  However, celebrating a special day that falls on a school day, this requires a delicate balance of fun and schedule.  Bedtime is not something this mommy likes to play around with...I need that time, just as much as they do!

St. Patrick's Day is one of those little treasures of a holiday..everyone is Irish for the day, shamrocks, wearing green, and the "traditional" corned beef and cabbage dinner.

As a child, this was just a fun day, full of green.  As a parent, I found myself curious about the the meaning behind the holiday.  Who is this Saint Patrick of Ireland and why did I wait so long to find out?  I found a helpful website: http://ministry-to-children.com/ideas-saint-patricks-day/.  The creative forces behind Big Idea/Veggie Tales are truly blessed with the ability to relate the telling of such an important and adult story as this, in such a way that children can understand and appreciate.

The story of a boy raised in faith, kidnapped, slaved, years later escaped, entered into priesthood, then called by God to return to the country of his captures and live among them; truly loving them.  How amazing!

It was a nice introduction for a conversation I had with my daughter at bedtime. 

 Like Patrick of Ireland, we should find peace when we place our present  and future in God's hands.  Her prayers that night were precious.    A "magically delicious" end to the day!

What a year!

"Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! (Psalm 66:20)

I pray on the fly - as I rise up, turn the alarm clock off and head to the shower.  I praise God, thanking him for a new day and asking him to help me with whatever may come.  I joke with my friends, my prayer closet is my bathroom.  I KNOW I am not alone...many mothers find solitude there.

The end of 2010 brought so much excitement and time well spent with my husband and children.  However, I feel as if I neglected the most important relationship, and that is with the Lord.  I was walking so closely with him and it felt so right, but somehow I lost that closeness and failed to hear Him. 

I definitely sent prayers up sporadically; "Lord help me to get this done", "give me patience with my children"...etc...and each time He answered, but I neglected to be thankful.  What has brought me to this realization, I am not quite sure; only I miss that quiet time I once spent alone with my Father.

As the new year approached, I decided to take the challenge set by my favorite radio station (KLove) and choose one word as my resolution.  I choose DISCIPLINE.  (My husband decided to choose engorge, but that's a story for another time).  Perfect!  This one word helps me with each day and in every aspect of my life.  Since the beginning of 2011, the moments of quiet meditation have lead me to one thought, this will be my year of peace.

Peace comes from knowing that Christ holds all things together (Col. 1:17).  Each day I am seeking for His presence at all times.  Now that daylight savings has visited, I am in full swing of getting the spring cleaning done inside my house,and in my heart.  This Lenten season I have decided to become a 'treasure seeker'.