Grateful worry

I have blog post running through my brain constantly, but they never seem to make it here.  Usually my brain has something zipping through it, especially at night when I'm trying to sleep.  I think it's part of being a mom and having to multi-task, and some inherited ADHD.  Needless to say, I have a notebook with my list with me constantly, so I can write things down when needed. I'll confess that when I do something that's not on the list, I'll write it down and then mark it off.  Tah dah!  I've gotten a lot done! 

Oldest and Mrs-to-Be

Lately, my brain has been filled with wedding stuff, mainly the rehearsal dinner, since the wedding is in less than 46 days. So my notebook has a few pages of list and diagrams of the room where we're doing the dinner, with things to do and check-off.  Items to be purchased, food that needs to be made, people that offered to help, items I don't want to forget...  Thankfully, we are not planing the whole wedding, and I have Only to help me, because I'm not great at this.  She is awesome with ideas and Pinterest is our best friend!  We've decided to do a few fun activities, if time permits, with Youngest as the Host, which will be perfect for him.  I think he is planning on doing a Roasting of Oldest, since he's not a groomsman.   I am thankful that Mrs-Oldest-to-Be has shared with me a few special moments, trying on her dress, bridal pictures, plans, etc.  Wedding shower is done, and they were very blessed during that time.  I think I'd like to get married again or renew our vow and register for gifts so we can replace our worn out stuff!  Doesn't that sound like a plan?  Maybe another time.  We have already moved Oldest in the apartment they will be sharing once they get married.  We told him, this was the third time we've moved him and next time, he needs to make some friends and enlist them to help!

We will be spending Thanksgiving with Honey's family, which is always a fun time.  We always have a card game or wahoo going on somewhere in the house, lots of food, and naps.  We can't forget the naps!   I am so thankful for oldest's nephew's wife and her organization each year, for my dear SIL and her laughter and encouragement, and for memories made.  She is a natural at organizing and  at making things so easy for the rest of us.  I can hardly wait to have all our kids in the same place and just enjoy family time.  It's the best thing in my world.  Even though I love going, I don't sleep well at all there, which makes me more tired and the brain fog sets in.

I must say that throughout our married life of 28 years, I have missed every Thanksgiving with my side of the family, except two.  Those two were great treasures and gifts to me.  My side of the family is very steeped in traditions for different gatherings, but it's also very rich in family experiences. I have the most wonderful childhood memories of family gatherings, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Lots of hugging and laughter, sampling food when no one is looking, and I miss those times. Some years more than others, but I always got Christmas with my family.  Now that Momma is gone, it is pretty much just time with our immediate family (Honey and our kids), and I don't get to see my Aunt and cousin (and her family) much.  Makes my heart sad, but I realize that I'm not alone, and those in Honey's family have also missed Thanksgivings with their families. I get it, really, but I still miss Thanksgiving.  and I'll miss Momma again this year.  This probably should be left out, but for now, here it is.

Oh, wait, the worry?  That will be the special cake I need to make, the rolls, pies, laundry, packing, checking The List to make sure I didn't miss anything, getting someone to take care of the critters since our regular person isn't available. Oh, I've lost 30 pounds, since July, but I'm afraid I'll cave and start eating things I've eliminated, due to availability, and I'll have to begin again.   Oh, did I mention the fridge started pouring water from the dispenser where we get ice?  Yeah, that's a bit off.  I'm thankful that Honey was able to take it apart and do something, and it seems to be working again.  The bad thing is the  ice filled coolers did not keep all the food frozen and my freezer is now meat free. All that space!!!  It's pretty nice to have a clean freezer again! I know, this is just stuff, and there is no need to worry about stuff, right?  Don't sweat the small stuff...

Lynnet

I'm still aspiring to be a good mom, but as the kids are grown and are getting married, that number is growing.  I can't be the perfect mother-in-law, but I can only do my best.  I'm bound to screw up, because I'm not perfect, but I sure hope the family will forgive me and forget when I do.  If not, I may have to dredge up some of those childhood pictures of the kids that they've begged to be forgotten. 

Mowing by Osmosis

Growing up, I was expected to help out around the house.  I never got an allowance or was paid to do those jobs, but incurring the disappointment of Mom by not doing them or doing them not to her expectations was not a good thing.  Typically resulted in completely redoing the chore or a really good chewing out. Being a single mom most of her Mom years, meant she needed help and I needed to learn these things. I wasn't always the brightest star in the sky.

  Webster's Dictionary defines Osmosis as this: :  a process of absorption or diffusion suggestive of the flow of osmotic action; especially :  a usually effortless often unconscious assimilation 

Smart Tutor states: “Learning through osmosis” is an analogy for natural, organic and  indirect way of learning. To learn through osmosis means to learn by immersion an exposure. For example, children learn their family’s native language through osmosis.

So if you want your child to learn something, immerse them as much as possible in whatever it is as a way of learning seamlessly. Learning a language is a prime example of this, however it can apply to anything, through a gradual, unconscious process... You never know what they will pick up and what connections they will make."  

While I do agree that kids pick up on things they have observed, some things just need to be outright taught.  As a mom, I understand this completely. It's the countless hours of doing and folding laundry, vacuuming and moping the floors, putting away dishes, brushing their teeth, making their beds, driving to them to various functions and so much more.  You think they would observe you doing these things daily, but these are things we've had to teach our kids. Sometimes, they pick up on things we never knew they were observing, and it befuddles us. 

Mom, brother, and myself (at the wheel)

Every time I help Honey mow the yard,  I am reminded of my mom.  In fact, I remember the first time I was allowed to use the riding mower and it was not good.  My mom had mowed the yard hundreds of times, but I didn't sit there observing her while taking notes.  That's where she went wrong.  That red Snapper mower was a work horse, but the secret to a nicely mowed yard and making it work efficiently was due to my mom's persistence to details and taking care of her equipment.  I remember standing by her side as she showed me how to clean the under carriage of the mower, scraping off all the moist grass and dirt, hosing it down with a strong stream of water, and leaving it clean and ready to go the next time.  She showed me how to add gas, oil, check the spark plugs,  lower the mower deck, etc, but I not ever remember her teaching me specifically how to mow the yard.  

similar to my first mowing

Disaster in the making. We had over 10 acres to mow of our yard, grandma's yard, and pastures, and she couldn't do it by herself.  She told me what section to start on, made sure the deck height was just right, told me to stay on speed 3, and walked off.  I wonder if she watched from a distance or just hoped I was listening.  It was pretty fun and I thought I was doing pretty good until I heard her yelling at me while waving her arms.  Her face conveyed she was pretty upset and I had no clue.  Did you know that you're not supposed to mow your name in the yard, do great spiral designs, and not run over her favorite blooming flowers?  Yep, I told you it was a disaster!  After I got a fantastic chewing out and precise instructions that I wasn't to nick the trees, to follow a pattern, not mow in the center to a wide piece leaving a small section on either side of the mower, to set my eyes on a marker in the distance and mow straight towards it, so I would mow in a straight line. You get the picture right? With instructions, I actually did pretty well, but I'm not an osmosis learner by any means.

  I love mowing actually.  It's me time.  I put on my earphones, set my Mamma Mia music to play and sing madly along as I go, but I always am reminded of my mamma and that first time I ever mowed.  I now set my eyes on a marker, as I make each turn, but every once-in-a-while, I am tempted to mow my name in the yard... 

Silliness

Monday, I took Little K to VBS, knowing he would love all the fun activities and learning about Jesus.  On the way home, he stated "Jesus is mean!"

"Um, what are you talking about?  Jesus loves us and cares for us greatly!"
"Well, He told Zacheus that he couldn't play in the tree anymore and had to get out!" Little K stated.

Needless to say, we went back over that event and made sure he was clear on what really happened.

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Day one and lego hand is forming

Two weeks ago, I had my first surgery for Carpal Tunnel.  Youngest has been so impressed with my Wolverine scar and my Lego positioned hand.  Not what I was thinking when he asked to see it, but the humor was welcome. 

I decided to watch some of my old DVR shows, after having carpal tunnel surgery two weeks ago.  I happen to be  watching one from Christmas  from the Hallmark Channel, when Youngest walked by and a Countdown to Christmas ad was playing.  "Are you kidding me Hallmark Channel!!!  It is not even the end of June!"

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Paul and Tracy

Sunday, we attended a "sending off" to some dear young-at-heart, recently retired friends, Paul and Tracy, who are just the dearest.  Many people were there, telling stores, sharing a meal, and singing songs lead by Paul.  Tracy has been the biggest encourager to me in regards to surviving being a mom to boys, plus she loves to sew and do embroidery work on her machine.  I can't wait to hear of their new adventures as they travel the US.  There were not a lot of dry eyes, and my heart was aching a bit, but I'm thrilled for them.  After telling hugging Tracy, she looked at me and then at Youngest and laughed:

  "You know, the memory I will always laugh at with Youngest was during church.  He decided he wanted to sit with me during service, he must have been 3-4 years old.  Someone had made a hilarious comment during service and the auditorium was filled with so much laughter, but I looked down and he was completely stone faced.  So I asked him what was wrong and he said "I'm laughing inside my head."  I just lost it!  

I'd never heard that story before and was so thankful to hear it now.

************

Went to the Farmers Market this morning for some yummy corn and potatoes, and whileYoungest was buckling Little K back in his carseat... Little K said to him: "Don't mash my Peter." Lol!  Oh the joy of boys!!! 

Would you care to share a funny story that has happened lately?  Have you had a good belly laugh?  I'd love to hear it! 

Ordinary Moments

Yep, I tried to eat a stick

Pulling a tractor

The weather during the last week of school was pretty nice, so we headed outside for some fun after naps.  I love watching the kids chase bubbles, pick clover and dandelions, and just play in the dirt. They do not really care that the toys are about 15 years old, but that they roll in the dirt.  With five kiddos to care for on most days, venturing outside is not always ideal, but watching them play makes it all worth it.  I love their laughter and dirty hands!  I do love my "mommas", as each is unique as her child.  Three are seasoned moms with an older child, and the others are learning that it's okay to say "no", set limits, routines are good, add some laughter and a few sweet teas, and all will be okay. Kinda...

Cutie Pie "L"

Honey and his supervisors

One of the "perks" of home ownership?  Searching for that hidden water pressure gauge installed back in 1994 that is now faulty and causing low water pressure.  I'm not sure who is more tired, the dogs watching us dig or Honey and I.    After digging for over an hour and only discovering some great fishing worms, a snake we accidentally cut in half, lots of mud, and only water pipes that seem to be going deeper into the ground, we gave up.   Guess we'll call the plumber tomorrow.

Wednesday, I got some contractor grade gravel to fill in the "pot holes" in our driveway.  It zapped my energy for the next few days, but it was worth it!  Do you have those projects that you put off, but desperately need to do?  This was one of them.  It was like riding a bucking horse pulling into our driveway!  

begging for attention

Poor Bandit is feeling the absence of Oldest, after he left for church camp and has desperately tried to distract me.  There are only so many times I can let the poor guy out for him to turn around and come back in.  I have a feeling he'll be sleeping close to me tonight!

Oldest and Youngest left for church camp today.  It's going to be a quiet week for us!  Honey has a ton going on at work with upcoming renovations and  moving to a temporary building this week.  Not sure I'll see him much.  This is my first summer in years to have some days off each week, as I will only have one child doing part time.  I'm so excited, but know my summer will get away from me quickly.

 Do you have any special projects/home improvements planned for the summer? do you have any projects you've been putting off?  Our list seems to be growing by the week, but I'm considering doing Rock, Paper, Scissors to determine which one to do first. I'm having carpal tunnel surgery on Thursday and will not be able to use my hand for two weeks,  so I'm leaning towards just painting the bathroom this week.

• the house needs to be power washed and treated sealer applied
• clean out the gutters (can I confess we have, eh hem, trees growing in ours
• find that pesky water pressure gauge
  
• get a DQ Blizzard 
• replace the front door knob
• dejunk
• paint the kids' bathroom
• fix treadmill
• clean honey's new temporary office before Wednesday
• take a nap
• Kiltz paint the shed

Thanks for visiting today.  I'd love to hear about your latest project you want to accomplish this summer! 

Between the Pages

It's midnight and the house is quiet.  Outside, amidst the roaring of the cold winter wind, snow flakes swirl and twirl, like laughter, racing toward the ground.  I sit, still in my Sunday clothes, surrounded by memories, when I should be sleeping beside Honey, a dog warming our feet. 

When Only married 8 months ago, we transitioned Youngest to Only's old room with the loft bed.  Dreams of what the now empty spare room could be, swirled and built, till I shut the door.  Trying to quiet the beckoning it held on me, I avoided it.  Not because I was sad of the new changes, but because I didn't have a plan. 

Through the pages of Little House on the Prairie, Blaze and Billy, Little Critter, Sweet Potato Pie, Robert Frost, Lentil, Love You Forever, Napping House, Chicka-Chicka-Boom Boom, and more, I watched my kids learn to enjoy books, but also learn to read. It wasn't until about seven years ago, when I first packed these books up, but they protested over and over... "don't put THAT book away, it's my favorite!"  

Now I sit, dogs slumbering at the door, with my back against a Pack-n-Play crib, smiling.  I sort and pack sweet memories, until they make an appearance once again, to become favorites all over again with our kids reading to their kids, making the stories come to life, and we find our friends between the pages once again.  

Lynnet 

Only's Wedding preview teaser

   

Family Fun

Preparations

 

One "last" dinner with the kids

Our blank starting point

Almost  Done

Surrounded by family and friends in prayer

Behind Door #__?

The Barker Girls hard at work creating beautiful bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres (using riffle shells) and more!  They were amazing!!!

Dirty hands

This morning, as I was attempting to use my Magic eraser to eradicate the tire marks on our walls  (a toy tire for the dogs has been tossed down the hall way too many times), I noticed some unique smudges and marks that I couldn't wipe away 

They made me smile remembering the little fingers that pressed upon the wall as se walked out the door, or those slight little hands that pressed and passed time as their owner stood in time out... 

I think I'll leave them up for a bit longer as my own kids hand and fingerprints have long disappeared from my walls and windows.  They are making their own handprints in life now, and it makes me smile remembering. 

Works for Me Wednesday

Some of the challenges of changing diapers are for the little ones to be occupied or distracted during the whole process. It's a stinky job, but necessary.

We know that the type of "mess" sets the time involved and let's face it, their attention spans are next to zero. Not much we can do about the time it takes, but we have a small way to help divert their attention.

In our bathroom, we have a small trim piece around the counter that acts as a "mini" shelf. Perfect for placing one or two small toys, in our case, two McDonalds Happy Meal type, they know they can okay with and occupy their times of "great" change. Truthfully, I'd rather have the kids playing with a toy in their hands than their little hands wandering down and possibly getting their hands in the horrible mess. They each know when we're "all done!", they put the toys back on the shelf and wait to be picked up and put back down with the rest of the girls. They are called Phone Guy and Box Guy.  These mindless toys elicit random conversations about where would they wear a hat, what do you say on a phone, what do you put in a box, can you stand on your head, etc.




This is what Works-For-Me and I'm joining in with We Are That Family for What works for me!

Guest "chef"

One handed egg cracking

 Last week, Youngest and I were discussing skills he needs when he grows up, cooking being one of them, especially for a new Eagle required MB (merit badge) for Boy Scouts.

"Oh, I don't need to learn how to cook. When I go to college, I'll live at home and eat your food, like Oldest and Only do. Then I'll get married, and my wife will cook. If she is ever gone, I'll eat sandwiches, cereal, and microwaveable meals," he says with a smirk.  Note: Making Mac and Cheese in the microwave, fixing a bowl of cereal, and using an MRE while on a Boy Scout campout, does not count as cooking. 

Only's spaghetti

Youngest went on to dig himself a deeper hole and before he knew it, he was suddenly in charge of dinner: pancakes from scratch, bacon, making the buttermilk, making homemade maple syrup, and scrambled eggs. For his first REAL meal, he did okay. None of us died.  He learned how to crack eggs with one hand and admitted "It's really hard to multi-task when cooking!"

Youngest's Popcorn chicken

Before the end of the meal, each child picked a night they would cook for the family. They just have to get a list of their needs to me. Dave said he was going to get his mom to make his, but we told him that was illegal and against the "rules."  Ha!  So far, the kids have done well with minimal help (not counting cooking instructions with Youngest), but it's really hard to sit back, wait until they get home from work and start cooking, but they have met the challenge well.  Only made homemade spaghetti sauce  and Oldest did some searching on his own and came up with his own menu and found a recipe he wanted to use. Only protested he chose fish because she can't stand it, but I reminded her that if she refuses to eat what someone else has prepared, it can be offensive and rude.  All she has to do is try it, and she can always refuse seconds or request a small portion. She ate what he had prepared.

It has been rather interesting to see my boys in the kitchen.  Things I assumed they would know because they grew up here, they don't.  Makes me feel like I've really messed up because I've not done this sooner or required them in the kitchen more regularly. Only has been in the kitchen with me regularly, she usually comes in to see how she can help, so she knows what it really takes and I have much confidence and appreciation for her.

• Mom, we don't have any black pepper  (it's in the pepper grinder for fresh pepper, not in a McCormick jar).   
• Where do we keep the big flat cooking things?  You know, the things you put cookies and bread on.  (Oh, you mean a cookie sheet?).  
• How do I broil something.  Isn't it the same as baking? 
• Where is the salt container and how do I fix rice? 
•  There's a difference between dry and liquid measuring cups! 
• You mean I can't use the same cutting board for meat as I do for veggies?
•  How am I supposed to measure the pepper from the grinder (as he attempts to shake the pepper from the grinder into a measuring spoon)? 
• Oops!  Guess we're having really brown bread - wasn't thinking to check it.

 I have learned a few things: My family has much to learn, we hang out in the kitchen more while the guest chef prepares the evening meal, and they seem to actually look forward to when they cook!  If I do help, it is to as an assistant or to answer questions. I hope to move them into doing grocery planning and shopping on a budget.  I've clearly begun this a little too late in their lives, but it will be okay. 
 

Oldest Fish Dish

 I had to laugh when a friend of mine told me about her son who is in the Marines: 

 Sounds soooooo familiar! Then i got calls from my new Marine, Mom, how do you: cook tuna out of a can?, cook a precooked chicken breast, make mac-n-cheese....scramble eggs! I LOVED Laughing a full minute before I would tell him how!  Celeste

 

Did you teach your kids how to cook, do you feel they are prepared or on their way to being prepared to be on their own, and how did you do it?  What age were they when they joined you in the kitchen?  Is there anything you would have done differently?

Sometime you've got to sleep it off

This lunch thing is too much!  Miss A

With four little ones in the house, there is a whole lot of sleeping going on at various times during day. While I wish it was I taking a nap, that doesn't happen unless I nod off rocking one of them or giving the baby her bottle (I'm sounding old huh).

Miss A learning to sleep in her bed

Oldest and Miss C. 

Nap times are down right glorious around here.  The two little ones go down at 9:30 and wake up at 11:30 or noon.  Older ones will stay up, do learning activities, eat lunch and go down for nap...




argh!  Younger ones get up at same time... It's like a cirus here!

Oldest and Bandit after long day of work

 

Miss I just couldn't wake up!

I must say that some of my favorite time is when the two youngest go down. Yes, they are a lot of work, but this is the time that I'm able to do fun learning activities with Miss "I" and Miss AB. On rare occasions, they will all be down at the same time... ah, the house is so blissfully quiet that I get a sewing project out and work on it while going over school with Youngest.  While I'm confessing, when they all leave, it's all I can do to NOT lay on the couch and just rest. I'm afraid if I do, then I'll not want to get up and the family does need to eat.

I actually do have another favorite time (besides 5 p.m.), and that is when all the other girls, except Miss C leave.  This means snuggle time in the chair with her or reading books, when she starts to relax and slowly nods off and I get to just sit there and enjoy rocking.  She is a blessing with her impish spirit and adorable smile. 

Inspired to action: Praying for your kids

I remember vividly the months prior to when the kids were born.  We decided to not find out where we were getting a boy or girl... we liked the surprise element!  There is just something about carrying this precious unborn child in side of you,  You growing as the baby does, feeling those little pokes, and feet plants in all the wrong places.  I remembering dreaming, wondering, thinking, about this new little one soon to make their appearance.  Who they would look like, would they have hair, will they scream and cry or snuggle close.  I think in those moment, it didn't think about "so far in the future" when they will actually grow up and be real people. ...

I must have blinked my eyes at some point because those beautiful babies that God granted us, drove us to the brink of not even knowing who we were or that we had a life outside of our children.... Those children have grown up and now we're dealing with college, work schedules, homework, test, study groups, and ... GASP  - a boyfriend in the mix!!!!

When the kids were little, I remember praying for them - to accept Jesus in their hearts, to be kind and loving, to listen to what God is whispering in their hearts, to serve, and more, but in the back of my brain was this little voice niggling me in a whisper..."Pray for their future spouses" and I would always think that time would be so far away...

It's not so far away now and it really sends a cold wind ripping through my heart. Many years ago, a good friends gave us Watchmen on the Walls: Praying Charter into Your Child  by Anne Arkins and Gary Harrell. and used it and really liked it.  But  Recently I found  a calendar I could tape to my kitchen cabinet so I could refer to and remember each time I was in there.  Inspired to Action: Praying Daily for your Children.  from Inspired to Action email I receive.  It is simple, to the point, back with scripture.

So if you come into my home and you notice a calendar taped to my cabinet, it's my reminder each day how to specifically spray for my kids.  When I read it, I include their own names as it makes it more personal and helps to pray for each child specifically instead of lumping them  all in the same prayer.  I also pray the same pray for the little girls I keep.  While they are not physically mine, they do spend  much time here and they are part of our lives.

 Lord, please clothe my                                      Lord, please clothe Only/Youngest/Oldest
children with the virtue of                                with the virtue of compassion. Col. 3:12                    compassion. Col. 3:12                           

 You can also go as far as to pray for your kids future spouses... It's NEVER too early!   We do not assume that each of our children will marry or do we want to pressure them that they are only "complete" if they marry (but that is a whole other conversation).  If you do not have a reminder to help you remember to pray specifically for your children/grandids, etc, please download, print, and tape it where you would see it the most and use it.                                  



PS,  there is also a calendar Praying for Your Husband

"But first" Syndrome

I suffer from a syndrome - I'm not sure if its a mom related thing or not. But it's called: "But First..."

Imagine this:  Father's Day weekend and Honey is tackling some of the things on his Do List (honestly, I didn't ask him to).  Good time for me to do the same, right?

The mess

Organized for now

1.  Toy Area Cleanup: It started simply enough.  I found this great bin organizer at our local resale shop for $15.  Frankly, the Toy Corner isn't used well enough for the lack of organization and not being able to find anything.  Momma Hume brought over some "big" girl toys and that helps with more age appropriate things. So I started sorting, throwing out, cleaning, and finding some "treasures."  Still have a few things to do, but it sure feels and looks better!
     

Beginnings

2.  Gather lost magnets for new magnet board Honey made: In the midst of the Great Toy Cleanup, Honey began assembling and finalizing the cool Magnetic board I'd seen on Pinterest.  He did an awesome job and I'm so impressed how it looks.  I sent a picture to Momma Hume, Miss I's momma, and she was so excited that Honey had made this for her.  Poor girl!  Her momma had to break it to her that it wasn't JUST for her.  Never-the-less, she has been over twice to visit and LOVED it!  Can't wait to use it this Fall for some new learning activities with the girls! 

Miss I and The Board

Magnetic Board

Have you been working on any "Do List" projects at your house?  I'd really like to hear what you've been working on! 

Outta control

If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. (James 1:26 NASB)

And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. (James 3:6 NASB)

Paint brush in hand, I sat in the minuscule space behind our fridge and God spoke to me about my speech and heart problem. I'd rather have had Him miraculously solved our impromptu kitchen renovation, but fixing my heart is the immediate need.

Momma Hume had stopped by earlier with Miss I and was telling me about the Father's Day sermon, "A Father's Challenge", given that morning by their minister. She summarized that we would not speak (or treat) to our co-workers, boss, friends as we do our children. They bear the brunt of our harsh words, frustration, anger, and other negative words and actions.  Ouch!   The Momma also gave valuable insight that really helped to open my eyes to this... Oh, this has not been fun.

The last two months I know my negative thoughts and words have over taken my heart, spilled over into my everyday life, and I don't like who I've slowly morphed into. I found myself becoming more angry and bitter towards my boys for their lack of participation or the increased level of reminders (aka nagging) to get them to do anything. I lost focus on what is really important and allowed Satan I get a foothold in my life. It threw everything outta whack! You really don't want or need to know my frustrations, I'm sure.  I have sobbed, ranted, stood silent, and given "the Look" to those I love the most, wounding them in the process.  I can see when I start in on them, they shut down, enduring and wanting to run out of the room.   I have pierced their hearts with my unbridled tongue.

When people talk about our kids, we always hear what great kids they are, sometimes that frustrates us.  I need to remember they are kids who are growing, learning, having new experiences and that is normal. They are learning about responsibility and still have a ways to go, but shoot! Why do I think my kids need to have it together when I don't or ever will the way I'm expecting them to! If I don't set about to be an example of how to encourage and even admonish in a more positive way, my kids will only know how to use fiery speech to tear others down.  Not exactly the legacy I want to leave or be known for.  I feel I've lost my joy and I'm definitely not a joy to be around.

Can you help me or join me? If you think about it, ask me how I'm doing.  Don't let me slide by.  Just  today in my inbox, the morning devotion from MOB Society (Moms of Boys) came through and it was JUST what I needed.  I know God sent it my way. If you have time, take time to visit and read I Mostly Pray for Help.  Oh, and guess what I also got in my inbox - yet another email from God:  What Goes Through My Head After Yelling at My Kids.



Lynnet

My delightful Irish Twins

My oldest two have been close since Only was a wee child.  Oldest has never known a time when she wasn't part of his life, and many times I have been questioned whether they were twins.  They are kinda - Irish Twins I mean, but that is not the gist of today's post.  It's the uncanniness they have to wear the exact same shirt on the same day, though neither have planned it at all.  I mean how uncool is it to plan to wear the same shirt as your sibling??? 

This isn't the first time it's happened and each time we just have to laugh. Have you ever had something similar happen to you?  I'd love to hear your story!