Sunset

In So Cal we rarely have clouds. It is just the way it is so when one comes along it is an amazing site. This is a sunset from a week and a half ago. Outside was just covered in a pink hue. I thought I was wearing rose colored glasses. We had another one last Sunday that brought tears to my eyes because it was so beautiful. It was a wonderful present from God. He was so loving to send it. Aren't sunsets the best?

A boys world

I have accepted the fact that my world will be a boys world. It just amazes me how quick they learn these things. Planes, trains, and automobiles. In our house it is mostly cars....of all shapes and sizes and purposes. Here is #4. One of his favorite things to do is play with cars. He rolls them up and down our big window. He even knows how to make a car noise. #3 could make the car noise before he could really talk. It just is in the jeans. Needless to say, we are really excited about Cars 2 coming our this summer.

This is #4 saying "HI!" He misses being in blogland. His mommy has been trying to simplify her life and blogging has had to come last. It appears that life has taken over and she has no control over the natives. She likes it this way and hopes to lose control frequently.

Parenting

I realize that I have not been as faithful to keep up with the blog, but I can tell you that there have been changes inside of me over these past few months. If I were to write about them I am afraid all of it will come spilling out and I am not quite ready to share. I will be, but not today.

Today I was perusing Facebook because that is who I am and found this article posted by a friend. It was so true. I find that I am at my wits end when it comes to raising children. They seem to push every button I have and then I end up doing things I later regret. Not crazy stuff, but not the things I wish. I am learning that I have to be living in God's grace before I can even get to be the parent I want. I have to be able to love them like Jesus loves me. (This is something my husband said recently) How does he love? Unselfishly, unwaveringly (is this even a word), and with lots of patience. The other thing I am realizing is that whatever I want them to learn I must be doing myself. If I want them to be generous, am I doing it? If I want them to be respectful, am I modeling it? If I want them to clean up, how does my room look? Parenting is tough. I know that I will never do it right, but praise God that He can cover all the wrongs.

New Year

So I haven't posted in awhile. I can tell you all the reasons why, but it seems like I am making excuses and there are no reasons to make excuses. All Christmas break I have wanted to post, but know that God really wanted me to be honest and vulnerable and well, I just didn't want to do that. I have written what I wanted to say in my head, but never put it down so here we go. (I will put pictures in because what is a post without pictures?)

Aren't they cute? They are, but they are a lot of work. Parenting is not easy and it really is not easy when you want to build integrity, respect, hard work, and love into their lives. Part of my struggles have been that I have to work. I enjoy work, but I think if I had my "perfect" life I would be home. Now I want to stop and pause. Did you notice the word perfect...? Yes, perfectionism. That is a battle I face almost every day. There is a part of me that says you can do it right, have it all done perfect. This gets me into so much trouble. I find that I become disappointed quickly and stress easily if things seems to be going a way that I don't think they should. I have struggled with this from a very early age. I remember if something didn't happen the way I thought it should I would cry, pout, or be mad. Well, I will say I have made some progress, but deep down I still want it be the way I think it should be.

While raising four boys though, I find that my plans get dashed to pieces really quick. I am learning how that is ok and I need to find space for them to be who they are and have them accept that sometimes it has to go my way as well. This plays out when I'm planning memorable moments for our family. I made have timed it wrong or someone is just in a yucky mood. It is in those moments I must relinquish my control. Really that is what it all boils down to anyway, control. I like control. I like to control the experiences my children have and what they encounter. Reality check...impossible to do. So I am learning how to let God have my children and trust Him to take care of them. My job is to help them work through the stuff that happens to them. I have to teach them how to respond when someone hurts their feelings or when they are faced with their own failures. It is easy to see this with children, but what about when it comes to me and my junk.

My loving husband says I have the spiritual gift of comparison. (that's not a real gift btw) I have to agree. I love to read blogs and see how many talented people there are, but the problem comes when I want to become that person as well. I begin a process of thoughts that get me depressed and sad about where I am. Some examples of this is "why can't I do that?" "Look at her, why can't I look like that?" "Her house is beautiful, why can't I make that or do that or create that?" It is in the moments that I have to STOP, and remember who God created me to be. And to be honest, I am relearning this. In the midst of work and family I have lost some of this. There are definite passions that are being awakened, but I am learning what it means to be me with all the roles that I play now. I am no where near being "arrived", but am starting to take the steps needed. Without Christ I would be nothing and have no idea where to start. GRACE is the most precious thing for me right now. He is covering all the mistakes I am making along the way and loving me for who I am now and He knows who I am going to be when I am perfected in His Presence. So there it is all laid out for you. There is so much more to share, but I think I will stop here.

Happy New Year!!!!

The Great Card Debaucle - Updated

It's that time again when I make my family somewhat coordinate their clothes and take the annual Christmas picture. It comes with lots of drama, but I think I will look back on the pictures and reminisce about days gone by. I am always looking for a good deal so when I saw the Shutterfly deal I decided I would try it out. 50 free cards is good, especially for those of us on a budget and who have lots of friends. I have used Shutterfly to develop some of my photos in previous years so I know that it is a trusted site. They are also always having deals for free pictures. The emails come frequently. There are so many Christmas cards to pick from and you can even choose by color (which I love). I may even decide to do calendars for the grandparents this year. The cool thing is it doesn't have to stop at Christmas. If I can't get it done quick enough, I may do a New Year's Card. (www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationary/new-years-cards)

One reason I love to send photo cards is because I love to get them. Our family uses them to make a prayer photo album. It teaches my children to think about others and their needs instead of constantly thinking about themselves. (what a concept) Anyway, check out Shutterfly and see what you think.

Peace

This is such a beautiful picture to me. Three boys playing together and no one is arguing or fighting. Let me explain...it seems like the older two can do nothing but tattle tale on each other or compete to see who can be the best. There is nothing wrong with a little competition. They are boys after all, but one of the things we want to teach our children is how to respect each other and how to put themselves last. There have been many days when I thought I would lose my mind. Even this afternoon it was constant, but then, redemption. May I say it again? This is a beautiful picture to me.

(By the way the game they are playing is called Zingo. It was super fun and even Asher was able to play. Two would work on the cards and one would slide. The took turns. There are some advantages to having lots of siblings)