March 31, 2011
One of my bestest friends' husband is a personal trainer. Hence, he owns his own gym. Hence, he owns all the workout equipment a girl (guy) could dream of. Hence, I have free access to said gym with my bestie/cheerleader/coach/workout partner AND I have a built-in "babysitter" for my kids because my oldest and youngest children are best friends with their kids! So, you're waiting to see a picture of my super toned body? Sorry. I haven't taken advantage of my "friend with benefits". "Why not?", you ask in utter shock! Because of one simple, four-letter word... I'm LAZY. Such a shame. Maybe it's time to put some effort into getting the things I want. (ie A smoking hot body. Okay, maybe I'm dreaming, but it COULD be better than it is now.)
So, now I'm thinking about other areas of my life where I may have gotten LAZY as well. The first area that comes to mind is my prayer life. Yeah. I know. Not proud. It's not that I don't pray. I do. I just don't pray often enough. The bible tells me in 1Thessalonians 5:17-18 "pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." To me, that means that there should constantly be a prayer on my lips.
"Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak!" Matthew 26:41 Those are Jesus' words, people! Keep alert and pray. In addition to a constant prayer, I should mindfully pray. That means, I should hide myself away from distractions with the sole purpose of prayer! During those times (not often enough) when I do this, everything else in the world all but disappears while I visit with God. Those are powerful moments in my life. Special. It keeps me tethered exactly where I need to be! Where I want to be.
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." " Philippians 4:6-7 When things go off track, when there is an unwelcome change to my life, when there seems that there is no way out of the trouble ahead of me, I am promised the peace of God and I have absolutely no reason to fret- I need only to pray! "Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful." Romans 12:12
"Through each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life." Psalms 43:8 It's almost an instinct to pray during hard times, but, what about when things are going well? Shouldn't we offer prayers of praise and thanks for keeping us safe, happy, and blessed? "Your unfailing love is better to me than life itself; how I praise you! I will honor you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the riches of foods. I will praise you with songs of joy." Psalm 63:3-5
Guess it's time for a workout- in more ways than one.
3.31.2011
3.29.2011
The Dragon Slayer
March 29, 2011
Yesterday I had a good old fashioned Bible study with my kids! I must've read half the book of Proverbs to them before they started asking "off topic" questions and fidgeting around like a man with ants in his pants and totally checked out on me. I have been telling them that they are instructed to "obey your parents" by God. I have come to the conclusion that they don't believe me. They just think that I enjoy the power trip and that I want to control them by having them NOT punch each other in the face and kick each other in the stomach as hard as they can. GASP! The nerve of me.
Lately, their disobedience has risen to new heights. They are sodense brave that they actually tell me "No!" when I tell them to do something. Now, back in the 70's, that would have earned you a fun game of "Hurry, Go Chase After Your Head Before It Rolls Away!" I don't know what happened with the turn of the century to give these kids authority to run the house. I mean really.
I've been gaining confidence in my parenting authority lately. I have, in the past, been known to engage in loud discussions as a form of discipline. But, I've really been growing in this area and, for me, it has been so liberating and empowering. Although my kids might tell you differently. If I correct them at a normal decibel, they will say, "Stop yelling at me." In their minds, they equate correction for yelling. Hmmm. Looks like I've got some work to do to help them discern the difference. Anyway, I don't know how things have gotten so out of hand lately, but it is RI-DON-CU-LOUS! Time to take my home back from those little bandits.
I find it necessary to change things up at my house every so often. They get comfortable with the same old - same old and punishment tends to lose it's effectiveness. (Don't tell Dr. Phil.) I still use the "card pulling" method. I just adjust the consequences. The 1st card is a warning. The 2nd card they pull results in a loss of phone, iPod, and video games for the rest of the day. The 3rd card results in that child spending the remainder of the day in his/her bed with no toys or TV. (Books only.) The 4th card is the kicker. That results in the child losing TV time from 9:00pm - 10:00pm. Call me a bad parent, but, they've gotten used to watching TV as a way to unwind before falling asleep. This is the absolute WORST punishment I could dish out and it almost always results in a banshee-style full blown FIT!
We all struggle as parents to get our kids to follow rules that they don't understand. My kids have no idea WHY in the world would I want them to keep their rooms clean. They really believe that my only goal is to torture them and make them as miserable as I possibly can. I have tried to explain it to them more times than I can count. They just don't get it. But, I've got to focus on getting them to trust my judgement. I remind them that it is their job to obey their parents. It is my job to teach, lead, guide, and correct them. Unfortunately, discipline is also part of that equation. If I make a mistake, then I have to answer to God. I try to explain that it is not their job to decide if I'm right or wrong. That doesn't matter. The only thing they need to be concerned about is whether or not they listen to their Dad and me.
Eventually, I'd like to get them to do all things without complaining. But, I can only slay one dragon at a time!
"Listen, my child, to what your father teaches you. Don't neglect your mother's teaching. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and clothe you with honor." Proverbs 1:8-9
"In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing so that no one can speak a work of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them." Philippians 2:14-15
Yesterday I had a good old fashioned Bible study with my kids! I must've read half the book of Proverbs to them before they started asking "off topic" questions and fidgeting around like a man with ants in his pants and totally checked out on me. I have been telling them that they are instructed to "obey your parents" by God. I have come to the conclusion that they don't believe me. They just think that I enjoy the power trip and that I want to control them by having them NOT punch each other in the face and kick each other in the stomach as hard as they can. GASP! The nerve of me.
Lately, their disobedience has risen to new heights. They are so
I've been gaining confidence in my parenting authority lately. I have, in the past, been known to engage in loud discussions as a form of discipline. But, I've really been growing in this area and, for me, it has been so liberating and empowering. Although my kids might tell you differently. If I correct them at a normal decibel, they will say, "Stop yelling at me." In their minds, they equate correction for yelling. Hmmm. Looks like I've got some work to do to help them discern the difference. Anyway, I don't know how things have gotten so out of hand lately, but it is RI-DON-CU-LOUS! Time to take my home back from those little bandits.
I find it necessary to change things up at my house every so often. They get comfortable with the same old - same old and punishment tends to lose it's effectiveness. (Don't tell Dr. Phil.) I still use the "card pulling" method. I just adjust the consequences. The 1st card is a warning. The 2nd card they pull results in a loss of phone, iPod, and video games for the rest of the day. The 3rd card results in that child spending the remainder of the day in his/her bed with no toys or TV. (Books only.) The 4th card is the kicker. That results in the child losing TV time from 9:00pm - 10:00pm. Call me a bad parent, but, they've gotten used to watching TV as a way to unwind before falling asleep. This is the absolute WORST punishment I could dish out and it almost always results in a banshee-style full blown FIT!
 |
| The left is their "Chore Chart". They can earn a prize from the "Prize Box" by completing chores. On the right is their "Cards". This is where the magic happens. Below the card pockets is a list of House Rules for reference. |
We all struggle as parents to get our kids to follow rules that they don't understand. My kids have no idea WHY in the world would I want them to keep their rooms clean. They really believe that my only goal is to torture them and make them as miserable as I possibly can. I have tried to explain it to them more times than I can count. They just don't get it. But, I've got to focus on getting them to trust my judgement. I remind them that it is their job to obey their parents. It is my job to teach, lead, guide, and correct them. Unfortunately, discipline is also part of that equation. If I make a mistake, then I have to answer to God. I try to explain that it is not their job to decide if I'm right or wrong. That doesn't matter. The only thing they need to be concerned about is whether or not they listen to their Dad and me.
Eventually, I'd like to get them to do all things without complaining. But, I can only slay one dragon at a time!
"Listen, my child, to what your father teaches you. Don't neglect your mother's teaching. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and clothe you with honor." Proverbs 1:8-9
"In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing so that no one can speak a work of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them." Philippians 2:14-15
3.28.2011
The Two Shall Become One
March 28, 2011
My nephew got married this weekend. It was a beautiful wedding and we are so glad to welcome his new wife into our family. The food was good and everyone had a great time catching up with family and friends they hadn't seen in forever!
They'd asked Aubree to serve as the flower girl and she was the prettiest flower girl I've ever seen! She was so proud to be wearing her "princess" dress and high-heeled shoes. She had a wreath of fresh baby's breath in her hair and she absolutely sparkled (from all the glitter that we doused her with. For the record, my bathroom looks like the sparkle fairy threw up everywhere)!
I was not the only person who thought she was irresistible. You see, the ring bearer also had his eyes on my baby daughter. He chased her up, down, in, and around that banquet hall. He'd grab her by the hand and off they'd go, having the time of their little lives. They laughed and played and had not a care in the world except keeping track of each other. (He even taught her how to "break dance". How a three year old knows anything about the 80's is beyond me.) It was really something to see how they hit it off and so quickly became enamored with each other. (We plan on locking her in her room and not letting her out until she's fifty-two!) All she talked about for two days was her new friend!
Weddings are so exciting. Everyone gets nostalgic. You can't help but to think back to your own wedding day. I remember how promising things felt on my wedding day. The world was at my feet. Nothing was impossible as long as I was by his side. I loved him. But, there was also so much that I didn't know. I didn't know how difficult days could become. I didn't know the tears I'd cry. I didn't know that sometimes the only thing harder than staying would be leaving. And I didn't know that I could actually love him more than I did that day. I didn't know that he would earn my respect in ways then unimaginable. I didn't know that he would grow to become as much a part of me as I am. I didn't know how much he would love me.
Time has revealed so much to me. It has shown me that I can always be more than I am. That I can give more than I thought I could. That I can love more than I ever imagined. It has shown me that I can survive disappointment, as the giver and the receiver. It has shown me who my true friends are. And I have learned that God loves me more than I think I deserve. Time has touched me with hurt, loss, and despair. But, it has also touched me with love, life, and forgiveness. Throughout the good and bad, we have held on to each other as tightly as we could. We've been steadfast in the love that we've always felt for each other. We dragged ourselves out of difficulties and danced on the clouds with each other in celebration! I couldn't think of anyone I'd rather share it all with. We were made for each other. I am blessed!
"And the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a companion who will help him." So the Lord God formed from the soil every kind of animal and bird. He brought them to Adam to see what he would call them and Adam chose a name for each one. He gave names to all the livestock, birds, and wild animals. But still there was no companion suitable for him. So the Lord God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep. He took one of Adam's ribs and closed up the place from which he had taken it. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib and brought her to Adam. "At last!" Adam exclaimed. "She is part of my own flesh and bone! She will be called 'woman' because she was taken out of a man." This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Now, although Adam and his wife were both naked, neither of them felt any shame." Genesis 2:18-25
My nephew got married this weekend. It was a beautiful wedding and we are so glad to welcome his new wife into our family. The food was good and everyone had a great time catching up with family and friends they hadn't seen in forever!
They'd asked Aubree to serve as the flower girl and she was the prettiest flower girl I've ever seen! She was so proud to be wearing her "princess" dress and high-heeled shoes. She had a wreath of fresh baby's breath in her hair and she absolutely sparkled (from all the glitter that we doused her with. For the record, my bathroom looks like the sparkle fairy threw up everywhere)!
I was not the only person who thought she was irresistible. You see, the ring bearer also had his eyes on my baby daughter. He chased her up, down, in, and around that banquet hall. He'd grab her by the hand and off they'd go, having the time of their little lives. They laughed and played and had not a care in the world except keeping track of each other. (He even taught her how to "break dance". How a three year old knows anything about the 80's is beyond me.) It was really something to see how they hit it off and so quickly became enamored with each other. (We plan on locking her in her room and not letting her out until she's fifty-two!) All she talked about for two days was her new friend!
Weddings are so exciting. Everyone gets nostalgic. You can't help but to think back to your own wedding day. I remember how promising things felt on my wedding day. The world was at my feet. Nothing was impossible as long as I was by his side. I loved him. But, there was also so much that I didn't know. I didn't know how difficult days could become. I didn't know the tears I'd cry. I didn't know that sometimes the only thing harder than staying would be leaving. And I didn't know that I could actually love him more than I did that day. I didn't know that he would earn my respect in ways then unimaginable. I didn't know that he would grow to become as much a part of me as I am. I didn't know how much he would love me.
Time has revealed so much to me. It has shown me that I can always be more than I am. That I can give more than I thought I could. That I can love more than I ever imagined. It has shown me that I can survive disappointment, as the giver and the receiver. It has shown me who my true friends are. And I have learned that God loves me more than I think I deserve. Time has touched me with hurt, loss, and despair. But, it has also touched me with love, life, and forgiveness. Throughout the good and bad, we have held on to each other as tightly as we could. We've been steadfast in the love that we've always felt for each other. We dragged ourselves out of difficulties and danced on the clouds with each other in celebration! I couldn't think of anyone I'd rather share it all with. We were made for each other. I am blessed!
"And the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a companion who will help him." So the Lord God formed from the soil every kind of animal and bird. He brought them to Adam to see what he would call them and Adam chose a name for each one. He gave names to all the livestock, birds, and wild animals. But still there was no companion suitable for him. So the Lord God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep. He took one of Adam's ribs and closed up the place from which he had taken it. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib and brought her to Adam. "At last!" Adam exclaimed. "She is part of my own flesh and bone! She will be called 'woman' because she was taken out of a man." This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Now, although Adam and his wife were both naked, neither of them felt any shame." Genesis 2:18-25
3.23.2011
Lets Eat: Week 4
March 23, 2011
Watching My Weight "Wednesday"
Ah. Another week. Another recipe. I have discovered that this "diet" is not really very difficult. Once you learn the "tricks" of what you can eat to satisfy certain "cravings" you have, you realize that it is quite do-able! My latest discovery has been this....
Oh. Yeah. Ba-By! It may or may not cause a teensy weensy case of whatever the opposite of constipation is. But, WHO CARES? It's kinda yummy! And, looking at the website, I see that there may be more options out there for me to choose from.
Anyway, as promised, I have a new low-carb recipe for you today! I usually eat brunch instead of breakfast and lunch, because, frankly, who has the time for TWO meals? This is perfect! My kids always are lured into the kitchen when this is cooking and say, "What's that smell, Mom? It smells so good! Can I have some?"
Scrambled Brunch
- 9 eggs
- 4 links of breakfast sausage (I use turkey, and remove the casing)
- 4 slices of turkey bacon (chopped into bits)
- 4 slices of turkey ham (also chopped into bits)
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- mozzarella cheese (about 1/4 cup)
You can also add chopped tomatoes, mushrooms, and peppers. If I do, my kids won't touch it. But, oh, how yummy it would be!
"You say, 'Food is for the stomach, and the stomach is for food.' This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them."1Corinthians 6:13
"Those who think it is all right to eat anything must not look down on those who won't. And those who won't eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them." Romans 14:3
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