2008 Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas from the Hudson Family!

From 2008 in Review

From 2008 in Review

We have had a great year! We spent a week in Washington DC in May learning more about our country. It was great to see all the things that we had been reading about in school. We went back to Juarez, Mexico for the week of Thanksgiving serving, playing, feeding and witnessing to the people there. God showed up in amazing ways providing just enough food for the amount of people we had and protecting our team in a very violent area.

From 2008 in Review

Collin - 2008 was good because I have love, joy, peace, and kindness. I like going to karate with Connor. I liked going on the Subway in Washington DC. It was really fun playing soccer in Mexico with all the kids who were really, really, good! I like memorizing the book of James in school.

From 2008 in Review

Caileigh - I had a good year. The best was having a sleep over with Carli and Didi Bulow. The boys were gone so I had a whole week alone with Mom doing girl things. I have been taking Irish Dance which I really like. In school we learned about Fungi, which was really interesting. We went to Mexico and I was able to see a girl open my shoebox present. I liked going to Jenny's Feeding Center in Juarez and serving food. Merry Christmas!

From 2008 in Review

Connor - My favorite things this year was being on a First Lego League team and having my 10th Birthday at the Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. I enjoy doing Karate and am going to test for my yellow belt soon. I am enjoying Singapore Math in school.

From 2008 in Review

Dawn - I continue to homeschool the kids, Connor is in 6th grade and the twins are in 3rd grade. They are a joy to teach and we so enjoy being together. This year marked a difference with the amount of activities (karate, Irish Dance, soccer, piano etc) that the kids were in so it seemed like I spent a majority of my late afternoons playing chauffeur. I am very grateful that we got a new car in April so the car time was much more pleasant ( I love my Subaru Tribeca - it makes me smile). I spent Nov and Dec directing the Christmas play at church which turned out well - other than the fact that I completely forgot the last song. Oh well, no one's perfect ( I am almost perfect- like Mary Poppins).

From 2008 in Review

Scott - I'm still an XML consultant and active in several OASIS technical committees. This year, I expanded my horizons and decided to coach a First Lego League team. We set our expectations to having fun and learning. At Regionals, we tied for 5th place and won the FLL Rising Stars award! I have a new call sign this year, too: W0XML (yeah, pretty geeky). I also can't forget my new ride! I got a Honda Shadow Aero in January and have been commuting almost daily to work. At 55mpg, it's quite an improvement over the truck!

From 2008 in Review

As this year ends and the new year begins, we pray that God will bless you and yours. With all our love,

Scott, Dawn, Connor, Caileigh and Collin

Categories: parenting

Be strong and courageous!

We're back and although I don't have time to go into everything (the Christmas play looms...), I wanted to give a brief update.

The trip was amazing. God showed up in amazing ways - ways that I haven't ever seen before.

A few highlights:

There were over 50 murders in Juarez the week we were there, some close to where we were, but we were safe the entire week. It was a little disconcerting to take my kids into a military zone, complete with machine gun stationed on either side of several roads we were on and full military convoys with men in full swat gear but God kept us safe and in good spirits all week.

We fed over 1000 people through out the week. One meal, God provided food until the very last person in line was fed with the very last of the food. We didn't count food or people but God knew.

Being the first customers of ladies that have been taught by missionaries to sew and emboider dish towels, aprons, and purses to help provide food for their families. I have never seen "hope" and "pride" in a more tangible way.

We had 100 bags of food and various items and God provided us with exactly 100 women. Again, we didn't count, God did.

Seeing Connor read a pamphlet of salvation to a little girl - in Spanish. Caileigh knocking on doors to invite people to church with as much Spanish as she could remember. Collin escorting an older lady who was a translator with us around the colonia so that she would be safe.

Scott was amazing as always, never quitting and helping all the rest of us translate. He makes me so proud.

I loved being able to teach children whether in English or Spanish and it was one of my favorite things to do along with playing with legos with the children in the orphange. You should have seen me trying to understand their directions as to what piece they needed. My Spanish was stretched to the limit.

So much for a little update. I get so excited by what God did in their lives and in our own. Thanks for all of you who prayed and helped us to get there. We could tell that our loved ones were praying and God answered your prayers in absolutely amazing ways.

Here's a link to some pictures...
http://picasaweb.google.com/shudson310/Mexico2008#

Categories: parenting

Juarez for Thanksgiving

As many of you know we are going on a mission trip the week of Thankgiving. We went two years ago and it was a life-changing and life-shaping event. Following is a schedule of our days. We would covet your prayers as we venture forth. Please also pray for good health for all of us during the week.

Sunday - Travel day. Please pray for our time together, the blending of our team, the safety of our bus, and calm hearts for us as we go into a place very different than Boulder County.

Monday - Bethel Orphanage and Agua Viva Senior Men's Home. We will be spending the day loving the kids and these "grown up" orphans. We will share a meal together, share the Gospel, and mostly provide a visit in Jesus' name. Please pray that we would be bold and not timid and make the most of sharing with these sweet new friends quickly.

Tuesday - Bethel Orphanage. There is something wonderful about spending two days in an orphanage. To be able to say to the kids on Monday, "Hasta mañana" is simply the best! We will play soccer, basketball, football and other games with the kids this day. Pray for us as we leave part of our hearts behind as we say, "Adios" to our new friends on Tuesday afternoon and believe that God is with them always.

Wednesday - Brother Ray's Feeding Center/Church. Today we will worship with Mexican brothers and sisters, we will help feed 200 people and minister to Jenny Tapia and her small band of servants who work faithfully in this place each week.

Thursday - Loma Blanca Colonia ("White Hill"). Today we will serve a big Mexican feast to the colonia. We may have 400 people. Please pray that we have enough food, that there be a real sense of peace and calm on this place, that we will not be stopped by the poverty that we see and instead see this neighborhood with the eyes of Jesus. We will also share a puppet show with a theme of "Do Not Be Afraid, God is Always with Us!" Pray for strength and good relationships on the team because today we will begin to be very tired.

Friday - Loma Blanca Colonia. Today we will have a health fair for adults and kids. We will share the importance of good spiritual, nutritional, emotional, community health. We will also be doing a mini "Operation: Christmas Child" and deliver shoebox presents to the kids.

Saturday - Travel Day. Again pray for safety and for sweet reflection on all that we've seen this week.

I would encourage you to make a difference this Thanksgiving. Help out in a food kitchen or invite those without family over for Thanksgiving dinner. We have so much to be thankful for, even in these tough economic times. Again, thanks to all of those who helped us get here. You are a blessing to us.

Vaya con Dios!

Categories: parenting

My Hero

I think my husband is terrific. The past three months Scott has taken it upon himself to lead and coach a First Lego League Team (it's a robotics/design/science and research competition) so that Connor could be involved in it, which is right up Connor's alley. We tried to find a team that was accepting members but to no avail so Scott decided to lead one. Three other boys signed up for the team from our church and off they went. Now you need to know that Scott has never taught or led anything remotely child oriented. No, I take that back, he has done puppets but only behind the scenes. Anyway, this was a huge stretch for him and none of us had ever seen how this thing worked. They met every week for a couple of hours and worked on team building, researching climate problems and making a presentation and designing, building and programming a Lego NXT to perform certain tasks. 10 year old boys are not the easiest to keep on task let alone 4 of them but with the help of 3 of the parents, they went to their first competition this weekend.

It was AMAZING! There were 24 teams, most of whom who were much larger teams all competing to move on to State . The boys handled the stress well, (when the robots breaks down in the middle of a 2 1/2 min round it's stressful) they met with judges, presented their research and won 5th place. They were presented with a huge trophy as the 2008 "Rising Stars". We were all shocked, Scott, parents, the boys, utterly shocked at how well our little church team did.

My whole point of this blog was to say how proud of my husband I am. He has been willing to be drug to every home school convention, every parenting class, parenting retreat, and reads the books that I put in front of him. I am so grateful that he is in this parenting adventure with me, he is my hero.

Oh, the team didn't quite qualify to go to state but that's okay because half the team is going to Mexico with us and State was on the Dress Rehearsal for the Christmas play and the mean director (me) said "No, they can't skip". There's always next year.

Categories: parenting

So Proud!

I just needed to share some proud Mom moments:

All three kids memorized the entire first chapter of James and are currently working on the 2nd chapter. They are better at it than I am.

They wrote a letter to send to friends and family about supporting them to go on our family missions trip to Mexico and raised enough money to pay all their own fees. Thanks to God and all of you who selflessly donated! You should have seen their faces when we added up the donations.

They canvassed the street for shoebox gifts (see Operation Christmas Child for more info) to give to poor children in Mexico, knocking on doors and explaining what they were doing and received 11 shoeboxes to take with us. Most of these donations came from non-Christians and adults but the kids are favorites with the neighbors who were unwilling to let the kids down.

What I love most is their utter confidence that God will provide and that no matter how uncomfortable the task is, they are fully willing to sacrifice to do the right thing. (If you know Collin, knocking on doors and talking to strangers, is a sacrifice - even if Mommy was right on the sidewalk. Caileigh thought it was great fun!)

I am so grateful that I get to be their Mom. They are precious beyond measure and I know that God has a great plan for their lives.

Oh and the picture at the top is the kids riding an elephant. Yes, a real elephant. It was big and Caileigh was little unsure of the whole idea - who knew that Caileigh was scared of anything .

Categories: parenting

Pumpkin Fun

We love fall at our house, the beautiful leaves falling, the crispness in the air, the fact that Mom starts cooking again (it's too HOT in the summer to cook) and carving pumpkins.

Several years ago we were introduced to this activity though the Heritage Builders, "Holidays Family Night Tool Chest". The point of the activity is to show in a tangible way that we become a new creation when Jesus comes into our hearts. It's a great way to show salvation to little ones in a manner they can understand. We start by preparing the pumpkin and say, "This pumpkin is just like us!" start cleaning and pulling out the gunk.

Read Matt 5:26

Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

Ask your child how is this gunk like the sin in our hearts. (It's yucky, it's unclean)

Who cleans out our hearts when we confess our sin? (Jesus)

Read John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Carve your pumpkin with a happy and positive face and read 2 Cor 5:17

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Ask your child how the pumpkin has become a new creation? (It has a face, it now can shine a light, now it's a jack o lantern)

How do we become a new creation when Jesus comes into our hearts? (We become God's creation, we're no longer filled with sin)

Read Matt 5:14-16

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

When we place the candle in our pumpkin, light shines through our pumpkin just like Jesus shines through us when we have accepted Him.

You can sing "This Little Light of Mine" with younger children to reinforce the ideas.

My kids have really learned through this and any chance to bring our children to Him with fun family activities is a big hit in our home! Hope you have fun with it too!

Categories: parenting

Various Thoughts

Just a quick to note to pass on a few thoughts.

Proverbs:

We have implemented a search for wisdom verses in Proverbs and there are so many. We've been reading a couple each day and so many of them talk about children listening and heeding their parents advice so that they may make wise decisions. The kids seem to enjoy finding the verses on their own to share. It's like a treasure hunt.

Cleaning:

This tip comes from Caileigh. One of the kids chores is to clean the showers and the bathtubs weekly. Caileigh decided to get into her swimsuit and have at it and since then all three have joined in, the tubs and showers are clean and the kids think it's a blast. The floor gets a bit wet but then I just have them wipe the floor with the dirty towels for an inbetween floor cleaning. Not the way I was taught to clean a bathroom but hey, it works and the kids enjoy it.

Categories: parenting

Ummmm, Dad

At dinner this evening, Scott was asking the kids what they learned today and just getting up to date on the happenings during the day. We were talking about Bible for the day and Scott asked, "What is the Word of God"?

Caileigh looked at him incredulously and said, " Dad, you don't know what the word of God is? It's the Bible!"

It just cracked me up!

Categories: parenting

High School Musical fun

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Goals are Good!

We've managed to survive the first month of school, which any homeschool Mom will tell you is a feat of mass determination and sheer will power. It actually hasn't been bad at all, we must be getting the hang of this after 7 years. One thing I have really noticed is that the goal setting has really worked this year. The kids have taken the goals that Scott and I set up and ran with them. Connor has really stepped it up. One of his goals was to look for ways to help Mom and very rarely do I even have to ask for help to put away dishes, start the laundry or take out trash. It's been wonderful! (No, we are not taking offers of marriage yet - he is only 10)

The twins have been a little slower on the buy in but I can see a major difference in them as well. Caileigh is talking more respectfully to her brothers and Collin is trying hard to be more gentle.

I think kids like goals, they need them and they like to be noticed when they achieve them - even tiny kids. Goals can be as simple as , "Mommy would like you to work on Obeying Right Away." or "We're going to work on doing everything without whining and complaining." Make sure and set the expectations ahead of time and tell them why you want this done. "God wants you to obey Mommy. " Read Eph 5:1 to them and have them memorize it. The why is important! The Why is vital! Make sure to teach the behavior before you expect it and what's more important what God says about it. Have positive reinforcement when they achieve the goal (and discipline when they don't).

I have to say that although this season in life is the busiest I've ever been (and that includes newborn twins) it's also one of the most rewarding. I love being with my kids and seeing their hearts move daily towards God's. I hope you are seeing it in yours!

Categories: parenting, goals, homeschooling

School has started!

You can see all three kids have grown by leaps and bounds in the past year. The first and last day of school we measure their height and take pictures of where they are on the chart and put it up next to last years pictures to show how much they've grown and matured.

Above you'll see the classroom and all of us in our tye-dye that we made for our first day of school.

Oh and the picture of the timeline is for Paige. Sorry, it's taken me so long but you'll see that I bought a Bible timeline and then a history timeline and put the kids cumulative timeline pieces underneath. They each pick out a 1/3 of their own to add to the chart , that way they all have some pieces on the wall.

It amazes me that even though I spend all of my days with my kids how much more I learn about them in school - good and bad. I think it's that I never spend 3-4 hours straight in the same room testing, teaching, and training at any other time of the year. For those that don't home school, you should pick a project a couple times of months to teach your child and spend several hours with them - you'll learn tons! Some about yourself, ( patience is a virtue) and so much about your kids temperament, learning style, communication, and my favorite - meltdown points! I've had to re-think and re-train my kids in several areas after a week of school. Whew!

Categories: parenting

Being Proactive

I am going to get on a soap box here, for just a minute. I'll get off in a second and then you can get on if you want.

I am going through the "Shepherding a Child's Heart" parents handbook by Ted Tripp and he had us go through a few of the verses and I want to share with you what struck me - with a two by four.

Gen 18:18 says, "For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him."

Duet 6:6-9 says, "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

Ephesians 6:4 says, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

What hit me in these verses is that God is asking us to be proactive in our training. So often we wait until there is a problem to begin training. We are to be training about God and loving God intentionally throughout our day. We are not to depend on others or events (like Sunday school or Christian School or even Home school ) to start the training it's to be consistent and pro-active all the time! We should constantly evaluate at what stage our children are in and have a plan in place to train and teach them about God, obedience, our response to others, self-control, fruits of the spirit and so forth.

I'll step off my box now and share with you a few of my favorite resources:

For little ones: The Singing Bible, The Heritage Builders Family Nights for pre-schoolers, Little Book of Manners for Girls, Little Book of Manners for Boys, Bedtime Blessings, Clubhouse JR Magazine

For Elementary: The Family Night Series by Jim Weidmann and Kurt Bruner, Hymns for a Kids Heart series, Discover 4 Yourself® Inductive Bible Studies for Kids (for older elementary and Jr. High), Movie Nights for Kids, Clubhouse Magazine

Oh and my favorite is our curriculum from My Father's World. I have never seen better Bible curriculum and /or character building. Even if you don't homeschool - for little ones (3-5) you should look at their K and 1st grade curriculum - it's all combined but it's worth the money for the Bible alone.

We haven't hit the teen stuff yet, so maybe someone else could give us their favorites for that.

Categories: parenting

An Amazing Day

Yesterday was an amazing day. One of those days that makes all the hard work worth it. One of those days that makes the days that you are desperately trying to keep your temper and explain why obedience to Christ is important, why we do devotions everyday, and why we aren't like other families on the block, seem priceless.

Yesterday my children were baptized. Yesterday, my children stood in front of our church and our family to publicly tell the world their faith story and to to publicly share the change that had happened in their hearts privately. Yesterday was a moment that will forever shine in my memory. Yesterday, they shined for Jesus because He first loved them.

They each made the decision to be baptized separately but it just so happened that that they could do it together. They each picked the men in their lives that are the most important in their lives to baptize them. Their dad, their grandfathers, one natural (Scott's dad) and one adopted (Mr. Vic) and Pastor Preston. It was infinitely precious to watch my children in the water with the men that love, protect, guide and pray for them.

Yesterday, I watched God fulfill promises that He made to me and their Grandma Sherron many years ago. Yesterday God showed again His love and blessing on our family.

Yesterday was an amazing day.

Categories: parenting

House of the Lord

I am such a proud Mom! Here's a video of our oldest son singing in church on Sunday accompanied by his piano teacher.

Categories: parenting

Training the Heart - part 1

The parenting retreat went very well and Scott and I came home with a new determination to truly train our children to keep their hearts pure. I had gotten a "Shepherding a Child's Heart" parent's handbook which is in the format of a Bible study and I sat down to follow up. While praying and studying, I realized that I hadn't really explained to the kids about heart training. Ooops! I can't expect my children to have this discipline if I haven't trained them first, so with my Bible and my handbook I sat down with the kids.

Luke 6:45 says, "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."

We talked about things overflowing. For instance, if we poured milk into a cup and kept pouring, orange juice wouldn't flow out of the cup, milk would. Whatever we put into to our heart is going to overflow into our words and behavior for good and for evil. We then went to Psalm 119:11, " I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." If we hide God's words in our heart that's what will overflow. We then made fun doorhangers as reminders. I think every good devotion needs a craft.

We have worked on memorizing these verses this week and I have to say that I have seen a lovely change in the way the kids have been treating each other. Just this morning, Caileigh lovingly offered Collin her waffle with the last of the syrup on it but he politely refused with "No, thank you but thanks for the offer" and happily had jelly and peanut butter on his. While I was watching with a huge (and proud) smile, Connor said, "That was really nice, guys!" Ahhh, if only all moments were like those - Caileigh later tried to dunk Collin's head in the pool while he was grabbing for her floaty. But, hey, I see progress!

Categories: parenting

Our Adventure Girl

On Saturday, Scott took us to a nearby reservoir for a family jaunt. We climbed rocks, traversed a steep trail and skipped rocks to our hearts content. I have to say that my husband is the King of rock skipping - he skipped one rock 10 jumps! We were in awe of his immense talent. On the way back up the trail, I was leading and Caileigh was following. About halfway up Caileigh found a different way up and she yelled to me, "Mommy, I am going the same place as you but I found my own way up! I am on an adventure!"

I thought about that statement as I watched her joyfully climbing with a stick she found. I sometimes think that my kids and, Caileigh especially, have to follow my exact steps to be successful. I am the Mom and I know what's best, right? I came to the conclusion that I don't always know what's best, but I know who does. I know that Abba Father has a plan for their lives, one for good and not for evil and it may not be the same path I have taken. I believe that they'll end up in the same place, in the will of the Father, but that their adventure may look completely different and I have to learn to be supportive of that. No, more than that, I have to be able to prepare them for that as well. Scott and I have to train them up in the way they should go.

So my darling fearless girl, you are on a great adventure and I'll meet you there!

Categories: parenting

Seeing the Proof

Let's see...

We finished school and headed out to Washington DC for a week of field trips in our nation's capitol. It was a whirlwind trip as are all vacations with my sight-seeing loving husband. We seemed to have hit field trip week for the entire nation. I mean it, the entire nation! (As a side note watching all those kids away from their parents reminded me that character and behavior count - alot.) It was a great trip even if it was crowded.

I have stated before that vacations are a fantastic way to judge how much your children's behavior is based on punishment (because you can't discipline as effectively in a public place away from home) and how much is heart training. I saw some really amazing things out of my children like patience, family unity, and perseverence. I also saw some areas that need some work like whining and going to sleep when we tell them. I guess we have all summer to work on them. My favorite part of the trip was watching my husband teach the boys to march up and down the Reflection Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial while Caileigh did the Irish jig. It was a picture I will remember forever.

On a completely different topic, we just received Connor's test score's back and let me assure you that home schooling is an academically strong educational option. Surprising even to me is that Connor did better than he did in 3rd grade. Oh and for those of you that were wondering, Singapore Math works as well. I am extremely happy with the results. Connor did a fantastic job and we are so proud of him! Yeah God!

Categories: parenting

Tests

Connor now and Connor then!

Connor took his 5th grade tests this week. I know! 5th grade and as he is forever reminding me, my little boy will be 10 in two weeks time. 10, you heard me, 10! Amazing! I feel sure I am not old enough to have a ten year old. Anyway, while I was waiting on the second day of test I was reflecting on the fact that being a home school Mom, this test is as much about how I am doing as a teacher as how Connor is as a student. Which may explain why I was more nervous than he was.

It got me to thinking about others things that I hope my children are learning that aren't quite so easy to test. Do they put God first in their heart? Do they care for others over themselves? Are they polite? Do they know what's right in God's eyes? Do they know the Bible as well as they know their math facts? Do they love purely? Do they understand that while we are training them to have first time obedience to us, we're really trying to train them to first time obedience to God? Do they understand that character is more important than academics?

Ahhh, do I understand that character is more important than academics? Academics matter, don't get me wrong, if Connor gets below a 90%, I'll have an issue with that. But do I make academics more important that character and Godliness in my children's hearts and mind? I wish I had a test that would show me the percentage on that.

Categories: parenting

Everyday Talk

Scott and I are helping our church plan a parenting retreat in June for our church and we are using "Shepherding a Child's Heart" material. While ordering the material I ordered, "Everyday Talk" by John Younts which was recommended by my good friend, Kerri (wayoutinthedesert.blogspot.com ). I have to tell you that I have been totally convicted by the things that come out of mouth that do not point my children to God or that show the state of my heart. For example, we had a 98 Ford Windstar with high mileage, that I thoroughly disliked. It binged. I mean it, it binged. If the temperature was over 50 degrees the "door ajar" light and warning bing would come on and stay on... the entire trip. Yes, I did take it to the mechanic but, of course, it didn't do it for them. I tried to be patient but with three kids and a loud bing every two second, I would lose my patience and mutter, "I hate this car!" or "Stupid car", which is a real no-no in our house. Instead of showing my children that I was grateful that God provided a car that was reliable and paid for, I showed them by my words an ungrateful heart. I am constantly asking my children, "Where is your heart?" or "Who are you putting first?" but this book reminded me that I need to lead by example, especially in the area of my 'everyday talk'. I have had to take stock of the words that I speak in the normal course of my day and I have to tell you it wasn't always pretty, but I am working on it. I haven't said "stupid fridge" when the condiment shelf falls off for at least two days. I consider that drastic improvement but more importantly, I hope it shows my children that I have to obey and honor God in my words and actions.

Oh by the way, we sold our van and the new car doesn't bing! Pure bliss!

Categories: parenting

School and Spring Fever

5 more weeks of school, that's all we have left but lately even that small amount seems like forever. The kids and I have a serious case of spring fever. We got the kids a 7 seat airplane teeter totter for Easter (a little extravagant we know, but it's so cool!) and they've spent hours playing and pretending to be flying to far away places. Caileigh was flying to India to be a missionary like Amy Carmicheal, Collin was traveling under the sea as his plane turned into a submarine and Connor was pretending to fly the Space shuttle to Mars. I so love watching them playing so well together and just enjoying being kids. These times of innocence will pass away so quickly.

We love doing school together and we love to learn but we are looking forward to carefree days of pretending too.

Categories: parenting

A Quote from Thomas Jefferson

I just found this qoute from Thomas Jefferson. As always, Jefferson says it perfectly.

"Adore God. Reverence and cherish your parents. Love your neighbor as yourself, and your country more than yourself. Be just. Be true. Murmur not at the ways of Providence."

— President Thomas Jefferson, 1825

Words to live by!

Categories: parenting

Part of the Body

Caileigh and Collin have been studying the body in school, our physical body as well as the body of Christ, the church. Often, I get a little sidetracked especially in Bible, today was such a day but I felt the need to share. Yesterday I read another article on MSN about the decline of church attendance, especially in the late teens and early twenties age group. This morning as we were talking about the body of Christ all the pieces that had been floating around in my head clicked.

I want my children to know that they were created on purpose by a purposeful God for a purpose. God has a plan for their lives and He has great things in store for them if they stay in His will (not leave the church as young people). Psalm 139 says,

3

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

God made them for a purpose, to do His will and work for Him. We then went on to read, Romans 12:4-5,

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

Just as the body (we used a model of the human body to show this part) has a specific job so does the members of the body of Christ.

Corinthians 12 says this about the body,

4Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!"

Using the body model we took pieces of the body out and played with this thought for a time (also teaching science - I love multi-tasking). What does the heart do? does the body need it to survive? What about the lungs, or the hands, or the stomach, or the eyes? Our bodies need all of its parts. God designed the parts to fit together and to work together. Without the different parts of our body we don't function properly, as God designed. So with the body of Christ, the church. The church does not function properly without all of its parts and God designed each of us with different gifts to fulfill the role of a part of His body. From the womb, He designed us to have certain gifts and personalities to fulfill the role He has for us. What a glorious thought! We were designed for a purpose and He has fitted us each differently for different purposes. I love that! I love that God designed my kids to fulfill a purpose that will bless His body.

As I was sharing this today, my kids faces lit up with the thought that God has a wonderful plan for their lives. (This was also a great chance to mention staying obedient to stay in the center of His purpose. I never want to lose an opportunity to mention staying obedient!) I want my kids to go through life knowing that there is a purpose for their lives and that just one person can affect the world for Him. I never want them to question that they were designed by God to be the way they are. I want to know that too! I want them to know that if they leave the body, it will suffer and they will suffer. Staying in the center of God's will is the best place for them to be, no matter what age they are or what stage in life.

Categories: parenting

Middle Ages Night

One of the things I love about home schooling and our curriculum (mfwbooks.com) is the family learning events. This was an all candle lit, meat pie eating, Nine Men Morris playing, ale drinking (okay ginger ale), night in the middle ages. Scott was Lord Hudson, Connor was Sir Conrad, Collin was Brother Collin, Caileigh was Princess Sarah and I was Mistress Hudson the kitchen help. We had a wonderful time pretending and learning together.

The next week, we had monastary night. We weren't allowed to speak and ate Pea Soup (not my favorite) and Black bread. Scott read the Bible through out the meal and we all meditated in the solitude on the meaning of the words. It was a special night but we all are grateful that we were not called to be Monks.

I hope and pray that these are memories of family times that the kids will bring with them into adulthood.

Categories: parenting

Family Purpose

Recently, we were challenged to make sure we have a working family purpose. I thought I would share what we've learned and how to make a family purpose. Oh, and goals for each of the kids too! The examples are our family purpose and objectives and the kids goals. My poor kids don't know how often I've used them as the example of good and bad behavior! I'll have to raise their allowance.

Family Purpose

I.Purpose
Write an overall purpose statement for your family, making sure it reflects the morals and values of your family. Start with “Our purpose as a family is....” Make your statement as precise and simple as possible.
Example : “Our purpose as a family is to bring glory to God through the love and choices we make as individuals and corporately as a family.”

II.Objective
State in a phrase or sentence an objective in fulfilling your purpose statement. Begin your statement with “to...” and complete your statement in such a way that you would see your purpose statement fulfilled.
Example : “To raise our children to be Godly young men and women filled with integrity and joy, who will be leaders for Christ in their homes, churches and country.”
III.Goals
Carefully consider individual goals for each family member. We make goals in three areas, spiritual, personal and academic (for our children) each year and have three goals per area..
Example : For our oldest son, here are the goals he is currently working on
Spiritual – self control over his emotions and tongue Gal 5:22-23
Personal – maintain responsibility over belongings (coats, piano bags, sports equipment) Eph 6:1-2
Academic – have multiplication and division tables memorized through 12


Carefully consider these goals and make sure they meet these criteria:
1.Are they biblical?
2.Do I have a verse or moral reason why to support these?
3.Do they fit out purpose as a family?
4.Do they bring glory to God or glory to us?
5. Are they achievable? We don't want to exasperate our children. (Col. 3:21)

Post these in a spot where you can see them regularly and pick a goal to work on weekly or monthly, include your children and them pick the goal they want to work on.

Categories: parenting

Maternal Grace

As do all stay at home Moms and especially, home school Moms, lately there have been times when I question the value of what I am doing. Is the time and struggle really worth it? I know in my heart of hearts that it is and that it's what God has called me too but sometimes my head and selfishness get in the way. God is merciful as always, and has shown me the value of my work. I wanted to share them so that if there are any other Mom's questioning they could be encouraged as well.

I have been studying 2 Timothy for several months and was struck (with a 2x4) by this verse. Paul was talking to Timothy and encouraging him to continue with the things that he had learned and then said this, "and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." Timothy was taught from childhood, by whom you ask? Well, in the beginning of chapter one Paul says, "when I call to rememberance of the genuine faith that is in you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice.." It seems probable that Timothy's mother and grandmother were so instrumental in Timothy's training from the time that he was a child that Paul needed to mention it.

I have also been reading "Finding God in the story of Amazing Grace", by Kurt Bruner and Jim Ware in which the first chapter was devoted to John Newton's mother. John Newton's mother died when he was seven but apparently had so thoroughly trained him in the word of God that Newton remembered her devotion and words later in his life no matter how hard he tried to "sin away" her words. John Newton became a captain of a slave ship until God used his mothers words to bring John back to God. If you don't know the story, John Newton wrote "Amazing Grace" and was a major supporter of William Wilberforce who was responsible for making slave trade illegal in Britain.

Mothers can make a major difference in the lives of their children. May God so use me in the lives of my children.

Categories: parenting

The Star of Bethlehem

Sunday was the first week of advent so we had planned to talk about the wisemen. Our Pastor trumped us though and showed a clip of the video, "The Star of Bethlehem". I was so amazed at the information presented I leaned over to my patient husband and asked him if we could get it that afternoon. We watched it later that evening and were amazed at the possibilities. I understand that this video isn't the Bible so I won't take as fact but it was awe inspiring. If you want an amazing experience and a great conversation starter with your children you might want to check it out. For further information you can check out the website at http://bethlehemstar.net/.

Merry Christmas!

Categories: parenting

Merry Christmas 2007

Dear Family and Friends,

This year we're trying something a little different. We're sending out Christmas Cards without the traditional letter and directing people here to do our part in "being green".

We've had a great year! Here's an update from each of the family members:

Dawn - I'm still busy with homeschooling the kids, which I enjoy more and more as the kids get older and we start talking and learning about really interesting things like the science of creation or the effect of Christianity in Rome or the foundations and beliefs of the United States. It's great fun! This year was extra chaotic as I directed our church's summer VBS program, hosted my Grandma's 80th Birthday and am currently co-directing the Christmas play. The word 'No' is still a concept beyond me. Scott and I did manage to spend some quality time in NYC for our 11th anniversary where my wonderful husband took me to "Mary Poppins" and "The Lion King" on Broadway. I loved every second of it and then and there determined to bring the kids to "The Little Mermaid" which was being held in Denver for pre-Broadway shows in August. We had a magical time. Oh, and we went back to Disneyland with our adopted family Mo and Alex Gulas in September. I know, it's an addiction but one not likely to end any time soon. Overall, God is good everyday and has blessed us with a fabulous year!

Scott - I'm now in my 3rd year as a consultant, and I've spoken at 3 conferences and have a technical book out with an interested publisher! I've been fortunate to only work with one major client this year, and that work has taken me to New York City, San Francisco and Oxford, England! Oxford was a particular treat, since I took a little extra time (on Mother's Day nonetheless, which Dawn continues to point out...) to go on the C.S. Lewis tour and experience this incredible city! Dawn and I have been able to travel quite a bit together this year, including New York City, San Diego (twice), and our favorite: Disneyland! It was great to spend the day with Brandon and getting to meet Carina! We also got to see the Red Bull Air Races in San Diego on that trip (very cool!). I was also blessed to take Collin to a Broncos game, and Connor to Game 3 of the World Series! Caileigh and I have a special engagement in December, too. This year, I also took the MSF safety course and now have my motorcycle endorsement, and am saving patiently for a good commuter bike. Life continues to be busy, but fun, and blessed with good family (including a new nephew, Garrin!) and friends.

Connor - I am 9 years old and in 5th grade, and learning Spanish, Latin and started a new math program from Singapore (Singapore Math). In June I went to a Bible camp by myself for the first time, called Maranatha. I went with my best friend, Austin. I played basketball last January, and I learned about a new programming language called Scratch! I continue to learn piano and compose my own songs, too! I really liked going on California Screamin' at Disneyland and getting soaked at Sea World. I got to meet Dusty Baker at the World Series, which was AWESOME!

Caileigh - I am 6 years old and in 2nd grade. I have a really fun math and I like to do art the most. I had swim lessons and went to Soccer Camp this summer, which I really loved. The new Nemo ride at Disneyland was really fun. I liked the roller coasters too. I also went to Sea World and saw the dolphins which I really liked. I got to talk to a dolphin trainer, too. I had a great time seeing Little Mermaid before it went to Broadway! I really studied hard and got a really big part in the Christmas Play; the character's name is Holly. Merry Christmas!

Collin - I am 6 years old and in 2nd grade. This year I went to Disneyland and my favorite was getting Miss Mo on Tower of Terror, since I had to go on Pirates (I was scared and didn't like it)! I went to Soccer Camp with coach Poncho and I loved it. I've been in soccer for a long time. I also went to Grammy's house with my favorite cousin, Jadin. I also went to the Children's Museum with my friends Carly and DiDi. I loved going to a Broadway show, too. It was very special and I didn't have to wear a tuxedo! I went to the Broncos game and had Dippin Dots (yum)!

We hope you enjoy this special time of year as we celebrate the birth of God's son! Merry Christmas!

Categories: Christmas, family

What are we buying?

Recently Connor and I had a school assignment to sit down and watch T.V. together. Not a usual occurence and got a "really?" from Connor in response. Our assignment was to note the commercials and try to figure out what they were really selling us. Just a car? No, the thought that if we bought a certain car we would no longer be invisible and would stand out in a crowd. If we bought and drank a certain drink we would be as talented and famous as a celebrity. What they are selling is a worldview. We see it everyday on t.v. in magazines, billboards and on the radio. We can't get away from it but we are called to be discerning. One of my favorite verses 2 Cor 10:5 says "

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

. Connor and I had a great discussion on worldviews and taking every thought and making the captive to Christ by applying the light of the Bible to these commercials. What does the Bible say about what makes us worthy? Do we need things to make us happy?

It was a great time with my eldest. I might watch more t.v. with him in the future to help develop our skills in determining world views.

Categories: parenting

Skip Counting

This school year we changed Math curriculum to Singapore Math after much research and thought. They all have done very well although Connor and I have had to get used to some new thought processes. The twins have done very well and have enjoyed the way Singapore introduces topics. Recently, they started learning skip counting as a pre-requisite to multiplication and division. This week they started multiplication and division and I have to say that skip counting has made the transition flawlessly.

If you are not familiar with skip counting, basically it's counting by 2's, 3's,4,'s etc. through the 12's. For instance, 4,8,12,16,20,24,28,32,36,40.

I taught these to the twins using m&m's. I first placed two m&m's per group for ten groups and then we counted them together. Once they memorized the 2's we moved onto the group (oh and ate the well deserved m&m's - for 2's they received 2, 3's they received 3 etc.) This made a very easy transition into multiplication, as 2 groups of 2 is 4 (or 2,2's) or 5 groups of 5 is 25. Division was a similar transition, if we had 15 m&m's and we all wanted an equal share how many would we each get? Once they divided the m&m's and ate their share, the concept of division was a breeze.

I wish I had taught Connor this way. It would have made these concepts much easier, I think he wishes I would have taught him this way as well! He would have had many more m&m's.

Categories: parenting

In the Beginning

School is almost here, so it's time for that annual event, dig out ( I mean clean) the classroom. I'm pretty sure I had cleaned it at the end of the school year but 2 boxes and 3 trash bags later, I came to the the realization that the classroom breeds trash. It does, I promise. While cleaning and rearranging the classroom I put up a really cool Bible timeline with the MFW timeline that the kids had done the previous year. I didn't measure (of course) so I had more room at the beginning than I had at the end. I studied the problem, and being as I am naturally lazy, I didn't want to take it down again, I decided to add a verse ( oh so spiritual of me, I know). I decided to use John 1:1-3 which says, " In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." It reminded me of the discussions that we have been having regarding creation but here is the crux of the matter - "through Him all thing were made, without Him nothing was made that has been made". Through Him, the Word, Jesus Christ.

As a last fling of the summer we went to Rocky Mtn National Park and camped for the weekend, I read this verse to the kids while sitting out side, eating breakfast with a view that firmly convinces me that it wasn't made by chance, it was designed. Caileigh says it best, "Mommy, isn't God a great artist?" Yes, Caileigh, God is an amazing artist.

Categories: parenting

Missing the point?

Wow! I am amazed at the responses I have received from my previous postings. I appreciate all the comments even when the viewpoint differs from my own. While I think that creationism is an important, worthy and stirring debate ( and I enjoy a good debate as long as everyone still remembers the golden rule), I find it interesting that none of the comments have spoken to my original point. Why are children leaving the church in droves? What are we teaching our children? Or are we so concerned with our viewpoints that we are missing opportunities to train our children? Are we sending our children to schools that are inundated with secular humanism and then failing to train them at home? Are we sharing our worldview and how to tell the difference between the warring worldviews? There is a battle going on and we will lose the children if we are not pro-active in our training.

Just this morning, I had the opportunity to talk with my children about a pre-school cartoon's casual use of the theory of evolution as a fact. I still maintain that we need to teach our children that God can do what He says He can do and we need to be very careful to teach our children that the Bible is the inspired word of God and that the Bible's authority reigns supreme over what man says, every time. If this offends some, I am sorry for the offense but not the belief behind them. If God is big enough to forgive me for my sins then He is big enough to create the world (pre-fall) without death and destruction as evolution maintains.

I want to see us raise a Godly generation of children ready and able to bring glory to God and to be tools that God can use to bring others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Otherwise, our debate could rage on but really, what's the point if our children go to hell?

Categories: parenting

Raising Godly Adults part II

I recieved this comment from a reader and I wanted to share the discussion with you. Please note that while we disagree, I appreciate that he is willing to comment! My reply follows, what do you think? What's your worldview?

Erm, if Ken Ham quotes such a high percentage of children turning away from the faith of their parents, then perhaps this is because of the tin-foil-hat wearing variety of Christian faith that Mr Ham espouses.

I see a direct correlation between well meaning but scientifically ignorant parents who teach their children that dinosaurs were on Noah's Ark, and teach this 'fact' as a bolster for their Christian faith (precisely the purpose of the Creation museum Ham has opened), and children who then go on to examine these beliefs intelligently and critically and conclude that, since a belief in dinosaur/human cohabitation is the worst kind of benighted nonsense, that maybe what their parents said about God aint too convincing either.

This correlation should be as obvious as anything. I work at a Christian School and am raising my own four year old boy to be a strong Christian. We reject young earth creationism outright as scientifically, factually wrong, and therefore, poisonous to Christian faith if served alongside the Gospel. Perhaps, one day you will see this and your kids will thank you for it.

Besides, Ham is an egomaniacal bully who has fraudulently ripped off a sister Creation ministry in Australia, now the subject of legal action that has Ham angrily hanging up on Christian publication journalists who dare to ask him about it: read some more at


http://duoquartuncia.blogspot.com/2007/06/answers-in-genesis-lawsuit.html

and

http://www.christianfaithandreason.com/june_creationmag.html

You are wrong to give Ham any credence or respect.

Sir,

I appreciate you commenting on the blog. I think it's great that you are being pro-active in teaching your son your beliefs. It is what I am trying to encourage, that parents are pro-active rather than reactive in training their children.

Mr. Ham was not the only speaker who commented on that statistic and I think we can all observe in our churches and in families we know, that many young adults are leaving their Godly heritage. I do think that in fighting between Christians only damages our young people further instead of teaching them to learn to agree to disagree.

On the belief that God didn't create the world in 6, 24 hours days, I will respectfully disagree. I believe in a young earth. God was the only one there when the world began so I will have faith that it was done in the way in which He said it happened. Hebrews 11:3 says " By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command so that what was seen was not made out of what was visible." and Heb 11:6 " And without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." I personally want to fall on the side of faith that God is omnipotent and all powerful and the creator of all things. from your comments, I think that you are saying that you believe God created the earth but not in 6 days and that evolution may have been a part of that process. I know this is a very popular belief amongst Christians (some of my own friends believe this as well) and I respectfully disagree. I think that dinosaurs did co-habit with people and that God created them on Day 6 and I believe that when Job 41 talks about a Leviathan it's a dinosaur. I think it comes down to your worldview. How you see the world and your beliefs about it. My worldview comes from the Bible first and foremost and I pray that's my children as well. It's not what I say or what experts or scientists say that matter to them, it's God's word that counts. Everything must go back to what God says on the matter. I hope my kids will even question my words and hold them against the word of God to form their worldview.

For more information on worldview and how it seeps into our belief system you can check out the WorldviewAcademy.org and Summit Ministries at summit.org.

Thanks again for the comment and discussion. I appreciate it and I pray we both continue to seek God in all these matters.

p>Categories: parenting

Raising Godly Adults

At the home-school convention, I heard a staggering statistic. Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis said that 9 out 10 children raised in the church turn away from the faith of the parents. I was floored and what's more I was concerned for my own children, I immediately started praying, "O Father, not mine, please God let my children love you and never stray from you. Let them be that 1 %." Then I started thinking about the children that I know and love outside of my own and I became really concerned. I don't want those children to stray away from the love and safety of Abba Father, either. Throughout the summer and while Directing VBS (which is why I haven't written in so long) the thought keeps coming, "Why? Why are the young adults turning away in droves?" After much prayer and during several Bible studies, ( don't you love when God answers your prayers from many different sources - I love that!) here are a few of my feeble conclusions, I hope they get you to thinking as well.

1. The power of God - we have watered down the power of God. I have been participating in Beth Moore's study " Believing God" and I think she's onto something! We have let evolution and modern science convince us that God can't do what He says He can! If He can't create the world in 6 days with a word then how can we believe that Jesus is the son of God and has the power to cleanse us from our sin and raise from the dead? If God can't do what He says He can then what's the point? We have to give our kids the blessing of belief in an all knowing, all powerful God whose word is infallible and can change their lives! Nothing is too big for an all powerful creator! He created us and so He can save us from what we need saving from! Hebrews 11:3 says "By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible." We have to believe this by faith and Heb 11:6 says that we cannot please God with out this faith.

2. Is God everything to us? Does the love of God permeate our everyday lives? Duet 6 says to speak about God to our children in when we raise up and lie down and when we are walking on the road. In other words, we are to instruct our children in the ways of God all day long but to do that we must have Him present in our lives all day long. He must be an integral part of everything we do so that our children can't imagine life without him. Matt 22:37-40 tells us to "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'38"This is the great and foremost commandment. 39"The second is like it, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' 40"On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."

3. Bible Memorization - Psalm 119:11 says "I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you. " We must encourage them to hide the word of God in their hearts. Even 2 and 3 years olds can do this! Start with Gen 1:1 and start early to instill a Biblical Worldview. Check out the CD's Seeds of Faith, Seeds of Courage and Seeds of Worship - an easy way to memorize verse while singing in the car!

4. Pray, pray , pray! Pray for our children - those that are in your home and in your church and family! We must ASK!

5. Get involved! I saw this in a dramatic way during VBS. I was able to talk and discuss the love of God and his greatness with children that I never would have been able to otherwise. If we don't pass on a Godly heritage to those around us who will? I don't want to face God with just my own children but with a crowd of children.



Maybe you have some other ideas? I'd love to hear them!

Categories: parenting

Expectations

At my house lately, we've had some issues. Issues with disobedience, issues with respectful tones of voices and issues with treating each other with kindness. I don't like having issues, they make me grumpy. After being grumpy for several days, I realized that I hadn't gone over my expectations of the kids in a while. So, the kids and I sat down and talked over the problem. Each child picked out a proverbs that they needed to work on and wrote it down and decorated the page to place on the frig as a reminder. As the kids wrote their Proverbs down, I sat and made a list of my expectations and the consequences - both good and bad. I believe that a list of expectations for my kids needs to be biblically based. I then went over the expectations with the kids and what they should expect if they should meet these expectations (rewards, praise, extra privileges and what they should expect if they don't meet those expectations (corporal discipline, the chore jar, loss of privileges). We all now have a firmer grasp on the expectations we have for our home and we are slowly beginning to have less issues. I am less grumpy, the kids know clearly how they are to act and I have a plan to follow for discipline. I like having discipline plans, they seem to cause less stress in times of conflict.

Categories: parenting

A Curious Girl

My three children recently spent a week with their Grandparents, something they love to do. Grammy and Papa are wonderful and they always are up for a new adventure and have lots of fun, interesting activities planned. You never know what might happen if you spend a week at Grammy's. However, the following activity was thought up by the one and only Caileigh.

I was unpacking Caileigh suitcase and while separating her clothes, I found an egg. Yes, I said an egg. I called Caileigh to me and I asked her, "What's this, Caileigh?".

"It's an egg, Mommy." she blandly stated.

"Why do you have an egg in your suitcase?" I calmly asked.

"I was curious." she replied.

"Curious about what"

" I was wondering if I put the egg in a warm, dark spot if it would hatch a chick. I had an hypothesis and I wanted to see the result." she informed me. ( My friend, Mo, says it's my own fault since I have a five year old who can properly use the word, 'hypothesis'.)

"Well, the egg didn't hatch because it needs a Mom and Dad to have it become a chick." I explained. "Where did you get the egg, Caileigh?" I queried.

"From Grammy's refigerator." she quietly said while she began to look downward and place her hands behind her back.

"Does Grammy know you took an egg?" it's a fair question, Grammy is very curious too.

"No." Caileigh said.

"What's that called?" I prodded.

"Stealing." she sheepishly replied.

"What's that called by God?" I further prodded.

"A sin."

"What do you need to do to make it right?"

"Say sorry and pay for the egg."

So Caileigh and I talked about making restitution with Grammy and Papa and how it's okay to be curious and do experiments but that we might need to talk to the grownups to make sure it's okay. I struggle with not laughing at times like these because I found the whole thing hilarious. I might not have found it quite so funny if the egg had broken but it didn't. I can't wait to tell this story to potential suitors someday. It'll be great fun!

Categories: parenting

Snow, Snow, Snow

I like snow, I really do. I have always liked snow. I like great big blizzards where you must stay inside, drink hot chocolate and watch movies or play games all day. (Well, being home-schooled you still have to do school, then play the rest of the day.) I like watching the snow fall gently from the sky. I like building snow men with my kids. I like snow ball fights. I like sledding and tubing in the snow. I like skiing (if I was allowed to go). I like snow, and I like lots of snow but after 6 weeks of snow, I am about done, but here is a quick idea for a bible moment with your kids.

For those of you who still have snow at your house like I do at mine, you might want to take a moment to look at a snowflake . Place several pieces of black paper in the freezer for a couple of minutes while you gather the kids, a magnifying glass and a Bible.

Scoop up a handful of snow (or if it's currently snowing catch them on the paper)and place the snowflakes gently on the paper. Have your children look at the snowflakes with the magnifying glass. After a moment or two have the children comment on the flakes. Are they alike? How many points do they have (they should have six)? Watch them as they melt and note that they are frozen water. Guide them to see that each flake is unique. God created each of them to be different and unique. In all the millions of snowflakes, they are all different. God made us unique as well. He made each of us to be special and unique, and He has known us from the time we were in our mothers' womb. Read Psalm 139:13-16

Psalm 139
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

God has a special plan for our children and He made each of us unique so that we may fulfill that plan, just as He made snowflakes unique.

Take the snow as an opportunity to remind your children that they are precious to God and to you!

Categories: parenting