Everyday Happenings Of A Wife And Mother

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Thankful Thursday (in Pictures)





Bike Riding At Gammy and Papa's house.



Warm Days and Blue Skies!


This sweet face...waiting for Chocolate Cake.


Adam excited about cake too! 




New Buds on the Trees!! C'mon Spring!


This sweet little guy in a sweet little shirt.


Playdates at the park.


Alone time with this little one...

 Not much Playing....


 But lots of snuggling. :)



James getting all dressed up for Preschool.


Never thought i would have 2 boys...but i am so very glad we did! They know how to drive me crazy and they also know how to make a crazy day seem sweeter.


Preschool Tea Party...was so beautiful!



James being exposed to a delicate world. haha! So sweet.



And....Surprise Flowers from a Handsome Gentleman. :)


Friday, March 14, 2014

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for...

James' Preschool.  They had Pajama Day at school.  He wore his daddy's old robe....so sweet!





My little snowman.




Inexpensive outings to Rempke Cafe.  We let the boys pick out a treat and we sit at a table by the fire.  nothing fancy, but the boy's think it's awesome.  I just love any time i can get with all 3 of my men.




I was able to get a much needed haircut last week.  It's a time where i feel so pampered and refreshed. I got 5 1/2 inches taken off my locks.
BEFORE


AFTER

Even though overalls are not in style anymore, i still love to see my boys in them just once.  I think they are cute. :)





Celebrating my niece's 6th Birthday.  I am so thankful that my brother and sister in law moved up here to KY - it's so neat to see our kids play together.




Birthday Present for Abbi - my brother painted this!! From Tangled.

And Adam has come up with his own...i guess....signature silly walk. it's so funny!  I have no idea where he got it from either.

"BE JOYFUL ALWAYS, PRAY CONTINUALLY, GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES."

Pictures on blogs can be very deceiving.  Just like my posted pictures above, they capture the great moments.  The moments that we want to be shown - the fun, happy, and wonderful moments.  It would be funny and eye opening to see what really goes on behind and around the camera during those moments.  Most pictures of my boys are either after or right before a tantrum or a blow up diaper. haha! The reason why i share pictures and words about what i am thankful for is to dwell on the goodness of the Lord.  Despite hard circumstances.  Despite things that i can't control or change.  Despite uncertainty of the future.  I want to notice the good things in my life.  Though they may seem small or insignificant, there is great power in thankfulness.  With a thankful heart and mindset...your view changes.  Not circumstances or trials, but simply you. 
That is what i want to choose today...thankfulness. 
What are you thankful for today?

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Unconditional



After over a week of James not going to Preschool (sickness and snow), the sun was finally out and our home was at last germ free.  Our boys are typically early birds....like their parents (unfortunately), so we were all up and dressed by 830am ready for school.  James was excited to go and see his favorite teachers and friends.  As soon as we walked into the school doors, he held my hand a little tighter.  In my head i was thinking, 'oh no.' As i was attempting to drop him off in his classroom, he would not step foot into the room. I negotiated.  I even pleaded a little bit.  He didn't budge.  His awesome teacher offered to help.  From experience of working as a teacher and nursery worker - it's best for the parents to leave and leave quick.  That is what i did.  He threw a fit, calling for me.  I picked up Adam and headed for the hallway, not making eye contact with any parent who gracefully and easily dropped their kids off. 
As i got Adam settled into his car seat, i sat in the car for a moment before pulling out of the parking lot.  I was actually embarrassed.  Now, i mind you this was not the first public fit thrown by my boys, nor was it the loudest.  But for some reason i thought about my reaction more than his fit.
Why was i embarrassed?  What am i showing my kids with this kind of reaction?
I always thought that if my kids threw tantrums that it was a reflection of my bad parenting.  Sometimes kids throw fits because they are tired, hungry, scared, etc. 
Even if i instill every ounce of wisdom and leading into their lives, they are still their own person.  I am not saying that a fit should be rewarded or ignored.  They should be a addressed privately.  But don't wrap so much of your security in how your kids behave. 
Instead of acting embarrassed toward my kid's mistakes, tantrums, or accidents....i still want to show unconditional love.  I think we have forgotten what that word in titles. 

UNCONDITIONAL - not subject to any conditions.

"If your initial response to your children reflects your personal embarrassment at their actions, you are communicating conditional, works-oriented acceptance."

I want to instill in my kids, that my love comes freely.  I do delight and love it when they are on their best behavior, help out, or do something kind....but i can't base my love for them on those things.  If i acknowledge them or tell them how much i love them only after they DO something good...what is that enforcing?  That they need to work for my love.
So despite, my red mother face from this morning, i sat James down after school and talked with him about his fit at school.  You can tell from his face that he was embarrassed too and knew what he did wrong.  Then he said, "do you still love me...even when i do bad things?"  Wow!  It hurt to know he even thought this, but i was grateful for an awesome opportunity to love on him all the more.  Discipline followed by hugs, kisses and i love yous....is one of the best things we can do for our kiddos. 
I am realizing that just saying "i love you" is not enough....it has to be through our actions as well.

 

 

1 John 3:18

New Living Translation (NLT)
18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.

I want to give my kids grace and unconditional love, just like my heavenly Father does to me. :)