It will be ok....

What Should a 4 Year Old Know?

Someone just resposted this link on FB, and it couldn’t have been in better timing! My sweet girl turned four just 2weeks ago — making her literally the baby of her “class” (per her age group based on school year). And though we’ve never adhered to mainstream ways of doing anything (esp in our approach to parenting) in her young life… as this school year approached, and the majority of her friends prepared to begin school (K4), I do admit to feeling just a little pressured that she was not.

Parenting...

"All parents have good days and bad days, strengths and weaknesses. Lucky children have parents who care enough about them to be willing to grow and change as parents. " (Peaceful Parenting)

Encouragement

Isn't it funny how you can read familiar Bible passages maybe a hundred times (or more!) and the message - while powerful - is pretty much always the same.. But THEN, one day - a time you need encouragement most - God suddenly brings those words into a light, and you suddenly see them like you've never had  before...?

Exultations of Adoration...

There is no effect more disproportionate to its cause
than the happiness bestowed by a small compliment.  ~Robert Brault

 KB has always been a very empathetic, thoughtful little person.... but lately, she has become very complimentary, as well.  Everywhere we go.... every person we meet... she has something- at least one thing - that she "likes" about the person.  From their dress to their shoes... their earrings to their nails... their eyes to their hair.... . to  their skills - like [music] playing...  She always seems to know just how to bring a smile to a person's face!  And I smile, because after all, everyone needs a little adoration every once in a while... :)

Mark Twain once said: "I can live for two months on a good compliment." ~ And I like to think that people all over, are living even a smidgen happier lives... all because of one little girl's attentiveness to detail...  her big, sincere heart... and her kind, compassionate & loving words! ~  I am so proud of her!!

Dr. Seuss for Nursing Moms

One of the ladies from our concious parenting posted this poem yesterday, and I just had to share! It's a poem for nursing moms  - written in the style of Dr. Seuss. 

Philippians 1:9-11

Some verses that really spoke to me during my Bible reading the other day [expanded for better comprehension]....

Philippians 1:9-11

⁹And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge [insight] and all discernment [judgment],   ¹⁰ That ye may approve things that are excellent; and without offense [sincere, certain, unsullied, untainted and pure, unerring, blameless -- not causing others to stumble] till the day of Christ. [Christ's return] ¹¹ being filled with the fruits of righteousness [in fellowship with God,  doing right] which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. [your testimony would bring Glory & praise to God]

I couldn't help but pass on this wonderful & ensightful bit of encouragement! ~ Keep pressing on... it may not be easy now... but it *will* be worth it all!! :)

Girls, girls, girls...

Today I got the opportunity to bless & be blessed.... all while standing in the middle of a retail warehouse. We were in Sam's Club, checking into the possibility of a job for B, picking up a few things, and enjoying many delicious samples they had to offer this afternoon... when the Lord crossed our path with a precious family, filled with girls! :-) We had just stopped to taste the guacamole, when I heard someone slightly behind & off to the side of me say "excuse me, cart of girls coming through." I smiled, as this sounded all too familiar.... and turned around to find a sweet looking lady, pushing a cart surrounded by four *beautiful* little girls. With a smile I said, "cart of girls, indeed..." and then went on to explain how I was from family of all girls, and how they reminded me of my sisters, and I, when we were little girls. This of course struck up a conversation... and before I know it were are sharing & laughing about children, large families, family size, names, the annoyance of unwanted parenting input..... the irritating, age-old comments of "your poor dad!" ~ "are you going to keep trying for that boy?" ~ & "aren't you done, yet?" ~ and the overall life in a world of girls. She was such a dear lady, and the conversation was so pleasant... that - though I can't pinpoint it to any one thing - I walked away feeling truly blessed to have fellowshipped with her, if only for those brief moments.

I don't know the what church they attend, only that they do. I didn't manage to catch her name... only that all the girls' names start with an "M" (oh! and, the 2nd girl will be 8 on Sunday, and the baby is almost 16 months). Matter of fact... I don't much about her at all (besides the random fact that she's a school chum of our chiropractor's wife. - heehee, small town). But now, I think I now understand what people mean, when they describe someone as being 'like that of a kindred spirit'... <3

Thank you Lord for that much needed blessing & encouragement!!

Let Them be Little...

Let Them Be Little ~ Billy Dean or Lonestar

I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand.
You felt so good in it; no bigger than a minute.
How it amazes me, you're changin' with every blink.
Faster than a flower blooms, they grow up all too soon.

So... let them be little,
' Cause they're only that way for a while...
Give 'em hope, give them praise,
Give them love - every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,
Let 'em sleep in the middle,
Oh, just let them be little.

I never felt so much, in one little tender touch.
I live for those kisses, your prayers an' your wishes.
An' now you're teachin' me, things only a child can see.
Tonight, while we're on our knees, all I ask is:

Please.... Let them be little,
'Cause they're only that way for a while.
Give them hope, give them praise,
Give them love every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,
Let 'em sleep in the middle,
Oh, just let them be little.

So innocent, a precious soul:
You turn around, an' it's time to let them go.

So, let them be little,
'Cause they're only that way for a while.
Give them hope, give 'em praise,
Give them love every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,
Let them sleep in the middle,
Oh, just let them be little.

Mmm...
Let them...
Be little.

B has been working such long days, and late nights lately... I have gotten a small glance at what it's like to be a "single parent"... and boy! Let me tell you... it's not easy, nor is it fun! (How do parents do it, when they just need 10 minutes to themselves and have no one to pass the baby off too?) ~ Anyway, it was nearing the end of a loooong day... and the closer bed time seemed to creep up... so did the end of my patience. As the result of said long day, in conjunction with KB breaking through new teeth.... she was being rough, testy (getting into everything she *knows* she not supposed to), needy, clingy, and well, plainly... a little stinker! She was pushing every one of my 'buttons' imaginable... and the more I tried to correct her/refocus her/help her, the more she seemed set on doing the opposite. I was starting to get quite frustrated - it was SO not cute anymore! - when this song came on to Pandora. Wow! What a way to set things back into perspective ! Children are only little for such a short time. Though I realize, as parents, it's our responsibility to teach/train them to do do right.... but we also need to be sure to balance that training with a bit of grace - just like the Lord graciously and patiently bestows upon us - his children. We waste so much time/energy getting upset over things that in the big picture, really aren't that big of a deal. Relax, have patience, give grace, and... just let them be little! What a beautiful, gentle [and much needed at the time] reminder!! And while some might say it purely coincidental the song came on when it did... in the words of Albert Einstein: “Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.” - So, thank you Lord for that gentle correction of my heart!

Isn't it interesting how a song that you've sung maybe even hundreds of times, can suddenly jump out at your with a whole new world of meaning? A dear friend recently found comfort in this hymn, and posted the lyrics on her blog. With life circumstances as they've been - and even some as they currently are... it really blessed me. It's a precious reminder that no matter what happens.. or what life throws your way... you can always count on the Lord to help you through.

"Be Still, My Soul"
by Catharina von Schlegel, 1697-?
Translated by Jane Borthwick, 1813-1897

1. Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

3. Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.

4. Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

A Child’s Ten Commandments For Parents

I stumbled this on another blog, and thought t was too good not to share... It's a great reminder and encouragement on how to be a loving, responsible parent to children... parts of it are quite humbling when you stop to think about it.
Ten Commandments for Parents:

1. My hands are small; please don’t expect perfection whenever I make my bed, draw a picture or throw a ball. My legs are short; please slow down so that I can keep up with you.

2. My eyes have not seen the world as yours have; please let me explore safely; don’t restrict me unnecessarily.

3. Housework will always be there. I’m only little for such a short time-please take the time to explain things to me about this wonderful world and do so willingly.

4. My feelings are tender; please be sensitive to my needs; don’t nag me all day long. (You wouldn’t want to be nagged for your inquisitiveness). Treat me as you would like to be treated.

5. I am a special gift; please treasure me as my Creator intended you to do, holding me accountable for my actions, giving me guidelines to live by and disciplining me in a loving manner.

6. I need your encouragement, not just your praise to grow. Please go easy on the criticism; you can criticize the things I do without criticizing me.

7. Please give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself. Permit me to fail, so that I can learn from my own mistakes. Then someday I will be prepared to make the kind of decisions life will require of me.

8. Please don’t do things over for me. Somehow that makes me feel that my efforts didn’t quite measure to your expectations. I know it’s hard, but please don’t try to compare me to my brother or sister.

9. Please don’t be afraid to leave for a weekend together. Kids need a vacation from parents, just as parents need vacations from kids. Besides it’s a great way to show us kids that your marriage is very special.

10. Please set a good example for me to follow in all the ways of life. I enjoy watching the things you do and want to do them just like you do.

Appreciation!

I have a chores schedule I try to stay on top of... so that ideally, things around the house never really have a chance to get noticeably dirty, before they're cleaned again. Unfortunately, this also means it's very easy to have said actions taken advantage of... as it's never not really obvious when I do do them... other than the fact they never get dirty. (Not that I expect trumpets & roses every time I do stuff around the house... I realize it's "my job", and that would be silly. - But it *is* nice to know you're appreciated, every *once* in a while.)

Well, the other day, I woke up to this on the bathroom mirror...

It *was* noticed & appreciated... ::warm fuzzies::