Pressing On

I want to be a better blogger, I really do. We seem to be in a stage of life where my choice is sleep or blog...as you can see for the past 6 months I have chosen to sleep.:) Mercy...as wild as it is I love the life I lead. The Lord has been good and continues to walk me into a much deeper appreciation for all He has done...my husband, my kids, my family, my friends...all gifts from Him. I am treasuring them more than ever. I am finding more joy in the dailiness of a family of five...more joy in the Lord. I have many stories that need documenting...so here goes...Look for more updates to come...I am talking to you, lone reader.:)

1. Our Payton called Tony and I into the bathroom the other day to ask us to look around and see if there was anything dangerous that caught our eye. We both shrugged and told him no. He then looked at us and said, "You see that reaction right there is what has me worried. Have either of you ever read the back of the toothpaste?" We both shook our heads no. He picked it up and said, "It says clearly to not leave unattended with children 6 years and younger. I happen to know that you guys unattend Eden quite often. How am I supposed to concentrate at school when this kind of poison is just sitting on the bathroom counter?" I told Tony the other day I can never let Payton catch on to the fact that he is way more detail oriented than I am...too late. I also must add we do not "Unattend Eden" with the toothpaste.

2. Our Benjamin brings home a folder every day that reports on his school life. We all love marveling over his work and on occasion there is a short note from the teacher detailing something we need to work with Benjamin on...One day it said, "Please remind Benjamin to treat others the way he wants to be treated." I sat down to remind him of this rule that we have worked on since birth and he looked at me with the most precious smile, sparkling blues eyes and said, "You know I do not mind being treated a little ugly every once in awhile."


3. Our Eden is growing so fast. I love it that she is so conversational. I no longer wonder what she is thinking...she is a steady stream of conversation from the time she gets up until she goes to bed. I love her spunk. I love that she still wants to be held. I love it that sometimes she asks for me to pick her up and she will lean in and whisper in my ear, "Does anyone want Sonic hap her (Happy hour)?" This girl has my heart wrapped up.


4. We have been having some attitude issues with Payton. The deep sighs, rolling of eyes, groaning when we ask him to do something attitude issues. He has been stripped of every privilege he has. The other day Payton and I went on a date "to talk." We got our Starbucks sat down and I asked him to tell me what was going on. He told me he was not sure if I wanted to know. I told him I did. He said, "The truth is I am frustrated at you. Every time I am in a deep sleep you wake me up. Every time I am having fun outside, you call me in. When I am enjoying the wii you tell me I have played enough. When I am watching my show you tell me when my time is up.When I want a sweet snack you say, "You've already had one." When I want to go outside you remind me to do my homework. Mom as much as I love you, you are what keeps my life from being perfect...." His list was actually even longer than this, these are some of the highlights. I had to smile at his ability to articulate his thoughts. I love every insight that he gives me into his heart even when it is shocking. He's a mom away from the perfect life. Lord, have mercy.We ended up having a great talk about discipline and why his dad and I parent the way we do. We left having a better understanding of each other and the Lord. I love Payton with my whole heart.


5. We loved every minute of our winter snow and ice break. However if I had a dollar for every time I said, "Let's stop before someone gets hurt." Tony could quit his job. If I had a dollar for every time someone actually listened and stopped before someone got hurt...I would have the same empty wallet I have now.


6. I love the boys deep conversations. The other day I was called in to discuss if there was any sin so huge Jesus would not ask you to forgive. The boys were making a case for the fact that getting kicked in the private parts should qualify. I told them Jesus gives us the ability to forgive anything...They were not sure. They said this is something that when they get to heaven they want to discuss with the Lord Himself. Here's hoping they never make it to the front of the line with that one.


7. Benjamin got in the car one day after school and told me he had to sign the book and therefore did not receive a "Smiley". I of course asked why, he responded with this gem, "Turns out you should not make inappropriate noises when people bend over." Benjamin is surrounded by phenomenal male role models...who still have one foot in Jr. high.


8. I adore having a little girl. The other day Eden and I were walking to the car and she turned around smoothed her skirt and said, "Mom, we look great. Let's go." So fun to have her at my side.


9. The other day as we were driving down the road Benjamin sighed deeply as we drove by McDonald's and said, "I know it just kills you to hear this, but there is nothing I love more than imitation chicken. I love artificial flavoring. It's delicious."


WARNING...its about to get long and serious here...

10. It is very easy to sit down and type out fun stories I want to remember about my kids. They bring Tony and I such laughter and purpose. We remain convinced, that outside of Christ and each other, these three kids are the best thing that ever happened to us. But I cannot end this blog without stating the obvious. Parenting is difficult. I have never in my life had a job I wanted to do so right, that sometimes I feel I am doing so wrong. Wanting to do the right thing for our children even when sometimes the right thing is the hard thing...or when we're not even sure the hard thing is the right thing we're doing, but we press on trusting The One who gave us these treasures is in fact leading us. I have to trust that there is something greater taking place than what I am seeing... I read this the other day in Sacred Parenting by Gary Thomas...

"God creates each child, and he has such deep, passionate love for every boy and girl that he never misses a single event in their life: "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brother of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40) Understanding God's joy in his own creation is one of the more profound spiritual experiences we will ever know.

Mothers and fathers, when you give your tiny infant a bath, you are washing God's baby. Pause a moment in your busy day and look up to heaven. When you minister to that youngster, can you imagine God smiling down at you? When you fix that hungry six-year old a pbj, you are feeding one of God's children. Listen carefully- you may hear God laughing in pleasure. When you hug an adolescent whom others have teased mercilessly at school, you are comforting God's teenager. Are those God's tears dampening your shoulder?

In the process of caring and loving, you bring God great pleasure. At that very moment you become His provision, His comfort, His passion. Learn to swim in that joy, and you will never look at parenting the same way again."

Slowly, but surely Tony and I are learning to swim.