Today, we celebrated Noah's 6th birthday!
Seems like yesterday that I was in the hospital having him, but at the same time, I have a hard time remembering what my life was like before him.
Being a parent has been rewarding, humbling, frustrating, tiring, invigorating, educational, and plainly put AWESOME!!! It has been an oxymoron of feelings and experiences but my life has been so enriched that I am happy that I have been blessed to be called "Mommy, Mama, Mom"
I love you my sweet boy! Wishing you a happy 6th birthday!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Isn't she lovely?
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| Olivia sitting on the couch with her new glasses! She did an awesome job picking out ones that suited her perfectly! |
Faith @ Home
Yesterday was such a busy day, but thankfully, I left feeling renewed, rejuvenated and feeling determined to change.
We had a guest speaker at our church yesterday morning. He spoke on Faith @ Home. I use some teachable moments to speak to the kids about Jesus, my faith etc, but after yesterday, I realized that it wasn't enough. It was a priority, but my actions weren't following suit.
Based on statistics 6-9 out of 10 churched children will fall away from their faith after they graduate high school. The main reason: hypocrisy. They feel that their lives at church were different than their lives at home. They felt that they were raised in hypocrisy...their parents were faith-filled on Sunday, but never brought their faith home. I don't want to be the reason why my kids don't experience eternal life.
According to studies, there are 40 assets that children may develop in life. The average child grows up with 18. In order to do well in life, the child need 31 or more. So, we as parents have to work on helping them develop 13. However, there is one asset that almost guarantees 30 others to follow....Faith Relationship.
Both scriptures Joshua 24:15 and Deuteronomy 6:2 have something in common. Both talk about how your family/houehold will serve the Lord. But I never got this until yesterday....in both verses, before it mentions family, it mentions "me".
Joshua 24:15 - As for ME and my household, we will serve the Lord
Deuteronomy 6:2 - so that YOU, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.
Wow! Did you get it?!? It starts with me. How can I expect my children to want to read the Bible, listen to Christian music, do devotionals, love God if I first don't do it where they can see me and know that I love it? It starts with me.
Another eye-opener. Ask your kids who they think you are in love with. See if God makes the short list without prodding them. Do they see that you love God with all your heart, your soul, your mind?
The beauty: today is a new day! I can set a new course for my life and for my children's lives. Again, I didn't live a hypocrite lifestyle, we talk about God, we talk about faith, we pray, we do a lot, but I left yesterday knowing that I can do more.
Tonight, after work, while driving to our house, I asked the kids if they had a good day and if there was anything they wanted to pray about. I didn't think they would be old enough to really grasp a random question like this. To my surprise, Olivia told me her eye was bugging her and Noah asked that we pray for a boy at daycare that has been excluding him from play. Right there in the vehicle, we prayed for both situations and it wasn't awkward, the kids realized that there never is a wrong time to pray.
At home, while the kids were taking their bath, I grabbed my iPhone (it is never far away). I found a newfound favourite song and I made it a devotional with the kids. The song doesn't have an official title but it is called "untitled song (come to Jesus)". I played the song a couple times, I then found the lyrics online and read them to the kids and asked them what they thought each line/verse meant.
It is such a powerful song and totally reflects how I want my christian walk to be as well as my kids. I want them to know that no matter what, Jesus is there all the time to be with us and wait for us to come to, sing to, fall on, dance for, cry to, fly to...
I explained that no matter what Jesus is there for us.
What a great blessing my kids are to me and I pray that God will continue to lead me in the direction that leads my children to Him!
Here is the song, I found it on YouTube....so powerful!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW5S8Xm-GkA
We had a guest speaker at our church yesterday morning. He spoke on Faith @ Home. I use some teachable moments to speak to the kids about Jesus, my faith etc, but after yesterday, I realized that it wasn't enough. It was a priority, but my actions weren't following suit.
Based on statistics 6-9 out of 10 churched children will fall away from their faith after they graduate high school. The main reason: hypocrisy. They feel that their lives at church were different than their lives at home. They felt that they were raised in hypocrisy...their parents were faith-filled on Sunday, but never brought their faith home. I don't want to be the reason why my kids don't experience eternal life.
According to studies, there are 40 assets that children may develop in life. The average child grows up with 18. In order to do well in life, the child need 31 or more. So, we as parents have to work on helping them develop 13. However, there is one asset that almost guarantees 30 others to follow....Faith Relationship.
Both scriptures Joshua 24:15 and Deuteronomy 6:2 have something in common. Both talk about how your family/houehold will serve the Lord. But I never got this until yesterday....in both verses, before it mentions family, it mentions "me".
Joshua 24:15 - As for ME and my household, we will serve the Lord
Deuteronomy 6:2 - so that YOU, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.
Wow! Did you get it?!? It starts with me. How can I expect my children to want to read the Bible, listen to Christian music, do devotionals, love God if I first don't do it where they can see me and know that I love it? It starts with me.
Another eye-opener. Ask your kids who they think you are in love with. See if God makes the short list without prodding them. Do they see that you love God with all your heart, your soul, your mind?
The beauty: today is a new day! I can set a new course for my life and for my children's lives. Again, I didn't live a hypocrite lifestyle, we talk about God, we talk about faith, we pray, we do a lot, but I left yesterday knowing that I can do more.
Tonight, after work, while driving to our house, I asked the kids if they had a good day and if there was anything they wanted to pray about. I didn't think they would be old enough to really grasp a random question like this. To my surprise, Olivia told me her eye was bugging her and Noah asked that we pray for a boy at daycare that has been excluding him from play. Right there in the vehicle, we prayed for both situations and it wasn't awkward, the kids realized that there never is a wrong time to pray.
At home, while the kids were taking their bath, I grabbed my iPhone (it is never far away). I found a newfound favourite song and I made it a devotional with the kids. The song doesn't have an official title but it is called "untitled song (come to Jesus)". I played the song a couple times, I then found the lyrics online and read them to the kids and asked them what they thought each line/verse meant.
It is such a powerful song and totally reflects how I want my christian walk to be as well as my kids. I want them to know that no matter what, Jesus is there all the time to be with us and wait for us to come to, sing to, fall on, dance for, cry to, fly to...
I explained that no matter what Jesus is there for us.
What a great blessing my kids are to me and I pray that God will continue to lead me in the direction that leads my children to Him!
Here is the song, I found it on YouTube....so powerful!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW5S8Xm-GkA
Thursday, February 17, 2011
God uses children!!!
Last night after my blog post about my struggles, I heard from God! No, it wasn't his audible voice, but it was Him nonetheless.
I was doing something with Olivia and she stopped and recited a scripture verse she memorized last year, Psalms 139:14 "How YOU made me is amazing and wonderful!" now if that isn't God sending his compassion and love and grace down to me, then I don't know what is!
You know what?!?! She is right, God mad her and she is amazing, wonderful, beautiful, intelligent and most of all, she is EXACTLY how HE wants her to be!
I love My God who is so concerned about me and my feelings that he used the very person I needed to hear Him speak through!
I was doing something with Olivia and she stopped and recited a scripture verse she memorized last year, Psalms 139:14 "How YOU made me is amazing and wonderful!" now if that isn't God sending his compassion and love and grace down to me, then I don't know what is!
You know what?!?! She is right, God mad her and she is amazing, wonderful, beautiful, intelligent and most of all, she is EXACTLY how HE wants her to be!
I love My God who is so concerned about me and my feelings that he used the very person I needed to hear Him speak through!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Struggling a little...
Olivia had her 3.5 year assessment right after Christmas. She is a bright girl and did well with what she was asked to do, but it was noted that her left eye seemed weaker than her right eye. She has been to the optometrist in the past, and at the time of her 3.5 yr assessment, I couldn't remember the optometrist saying anything about her left eye.
As a couple days passed, I had a vague memory of him mentioning something. However, she was 2 when she had her appt, so, I believe at the time we chalked it up to her being 2 and not being comfortable with the tests.
After her assessment, I called the optometrist and his receptionist confirmed that it was noted that her left eye was indeed weaker than her right.
We opted to wait for a full year to revisit. So, we would make an appointment in the summer.
Since the assessment, we had been noticing Olivia's left eye turning in quite a bit at night time. We weren't sure if it was psychosomatic or if she indeed had a problem that needed to be looked at. So, we made an appt for yesterday with the optometrist.
To our dismay, her left eye is considerably weak and my baby girl needs glasses! I'm not sure why I'm struggling with this.....is it the year's of teaching (aka brainwashing) that told me that nothing bad will ever happen to you or your family if you believe or pray right??? is it that I have the images from kids in my past who were made fun of for wearing glasses??? is it my own insecurities that my child isn't perfect??? I don't know....maybe a mix of all 3.
I know the first one is a big factor. I have been taught in church for so many years that if you believe it and claim it, and have enough faith, nothing will come nigh you or your family. I'm not theological and don't claim to know everything about the Word and what it says and doesn't say. However, I believe that this teaching has left me with nothing but guilty feelings...and I don't think guilt is from God. It makes me wonder if I didn't pray right, did I not believe enough, etc. It makes it seem like my fault. I'm at a loss on what is the right teaching on faith and will of God. I truly believe that God doesn't want bad things to happen to us and our loved ones and that we must have faith. I also have a strong belief that we live in an imperfect world and to believe that only good things will happen to us is a disillusionment. The fact that my 3-year-old needs glasses and can't see very well out of her left eye can't be a result of not believing enough, can it?
What I'm trying to focus on right now is that eyeglasses really aren't that bad. Many people wear them and are okay with it. So, why do I still feel so guilty and sad?
I think I might just have to think of all the things she has been spared in her life because of my faith and because of my belief in God and His will for mine and my family's life.
I Thessalonians 5:18 – In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
So, God I thank you for a beautifully healthy, talented, gentle, sweet, energetic, generous and loving daughter. I know that your hand is on her and that you are concerned for her. Please help me today to feel your love and grace instead of guilt as I know that feeling is not from/of You.
As a couple days passed, I had a vague memory of him mentioning something. However, she was 2 when she had her appt, so, I believe at the time we chalked it up to her being 2 and not being comfortable with the tests.
After her assessment, I called the optometrist and his receptionist confirmed that it was noted that her left eye was indeed weaker than her right.
We opted to wait for a full year to revisit. So, we would make an appointment in the summer.
Since the assessment, we had been noticing Olivia's left eye turning in quite a bit at night time. We weren't sure if it was psychosomatic or if she indeed had a problem that needed to be looked at. So, we made an appt for yesterday with the optometrist.
To our dismay, her left eye is considerably weak and my baby girl needs glasses! I'm not sure why I'm struggling with this.....is it the year's of teaching (aka brainwashing) that told me that nothing bad will ever happen to you or your family if you believe or pray right??? is it that I have the images from kids in my past who were made fun of for wearing glasses??? is it my own insecurities that my child isn't perfect??? I don't know....maybe a mix of all 3.
I know the first one is a big factor. I have been taught in church for so many years that if you believe it and claim it, and have enough faith, nothing will come nigh you or your family. I'm not theological and don't claim to know everything about the Word and what it says and doesn't say. However, I believe that this teaching has left me with nothing but guilty feelings...and I don't think guilt is from God. It makes me wonder if I didn't pray right, did I not believe enough, etc. It makes it seem like my fault. I'm at a loss on what is the right teaching on faith and will of God. I truly believe that God doesn't want bad things to happen to us and our loved ones and that we must have faith. I also have a strong belief that we live in an imperfect world and to believe that only good things will happen to us is a disillusionment. The fact that my 3-year-old needs glasses and can't see very well out of her left eye can't be a result of not believing enough, can it?
What I'm trying to focus on right now is that eyeglasses really aren't that bad. Many people wear them and are okay with it. So, why do I still feel so guilty and sad?
I think I might just have to think of all the things she has been spared in her life because of my faith and because of my belief in God and His will for mine and my family's life.
I Thessalonians 5:18 – In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
So, God I thank you for a beautifully healthy, talented, gentle, sweet, energetic, generous and loving daughter. I know that your hand is on her and that you are concerned for her. Please help me today to feel your love and grace instead of guilt as I know that feeling is not from/of You.
Jack Frost
We left Moncton around 11:00 and arrived in PEI around 1:00 pm. Since the festivities didn't start until 5 pm, we had some rest time. We then went out and walked around to get our bearings. The venue had changed this year and we were unfamiliar with the grounds. So, we walked to Wendy's to get a late lunch, then to the mall to see where the grounds were (behind the mall).
We soon, got back and got our outdoor clothes on and ventured out to Jack Frost. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera, so there are no pics from our first night. Because it started at 5 and we only got there around 6 pm, and the kids bedtime is at 7 pm usually, we weren't sure how long we were going to stay. The fireworks started around 7:15, but by 7 pm, Olivia was shiverring really bad and asked to go back to the hotel room. I don't think she understood what she was asking. Last year, our hotel room overlooked the harbour (where the fireworks took place), this year, they were behind the mall as well and our room wasn't facing them. It was only around 9 pm (the kids were still up) that Olivia realized that we weren't going to see the fireworks that night. She wasn't too upset, but we made arrangements for the next night to ensure that she got to see them :)
When we got back to our room, there was no heat in our room. We called the front desk. Within 20 minutes, the heat kicked back on. Scott went to get our very late supper, and when he got back he noticed that the heat had kicked off again. I hadn't noticed since it was on long enough to warm up the room. He called again, at which point we learned that the hotel was having problems in our entire wing. They were shutting non-essential things off to accommodate the load that all the guests were causing. They said the would call the electrician the next day (ummm...something didn't seem right). The power came on and off 3 more times and finally came on to stay at 11 pm. Our kids were complaining that they were cold, so we were left snuggling in bed without being able to do anything in our hotel room. We had brought the kids' special blankets, thankfully, since they had to cuddle up in those when the finally went to bed. The hotel sent around nice complimentary snack baskets to apologize for our trouble the next day....nice touch!!!
On Saturday morning, we opted to go to the UPEI Cari complex venue. They had bouncy castles, Princess Boutique, and Superhero Training Camp as well as many different Discovery Centre activities. Later in the day, they had swimming at the complex (but we opted to stay at the hotel and swim)
In the evening, we went a little later to the Jack Frost outdoor site. We wanted to make sure that the kids didn't get too cold again. We watched The Real McCoy which is a juggling-type show and had fun with that, we went on the slides again, then found a great spot to watch the fireworks. The kids loved being outside for them this year. The loved the noises, the musical accompaniment and the fact that Daddy bought cotton candy (or cottage is what Olivia called it, lol) for the event.
On Sunday morning, we got up early, had breakfast and headed back over to the outdoor site for one last hurrah before leaving PEI. It was so bitter cold and windy, there were barely anyone there. We just kept moving and didn't let the cold stop us. We went on the ice slides quite a few times in a row, then onto the tube slides. I have a nice bruise on my tailbone from one of the bumps that I hit. While waiting for the Shrek and Fiona show, we went onto the huge snow jungle gym and had fun on some mini ice slides where the kids pretended to be penguins. After the Shrek and Fiona show, we took the shuttle back to our hotel, packed everything up into the vehicle and headed home. What a great weekend. So much fun to not be on a set schedule, enjoy our family without any interruptions. We had quite a few laughs, quite a few memories and lots of love to go around for everyone. I really recommend this for all families. It is relatively cheap and so much fun.
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| Look at the high ceiling in our room....LOVED it!!!! |
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| Scott and the family in our hotel room taking a rest before night #1 starts :) |
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| Love this picture....they are sound asleep and cuddled right up to each other....Aren't they gorgeous?!? |
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| Daddy and Noah on the shuttle to the Cari Complex |
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| Mommy and Olivia on the shuttle on the way to the Cari Complex |
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| Noah, the superhero! |
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| Olivia getting her nails done as she transforms into a princess |
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| Love the colour she chose for her eyes....my favourite colour and it looks great with her complexion |
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| In front of the wonderful Jack Frost snow sculpture |
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| Noah coming down the ice slides...you can see Daddy and Olivia waiting at the top |
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| Here comes Olivia |
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Weekend family getaway!
It has been a while since I've blogged! I guess I dissent have an urge or there wasn't anything blog-worthy!
We are getting ready to take the kids to our yearly family getaway to Jack Frost Festival. It is a wonderful outside event (with indoor events too), but it is basically a great place to enjoy your family, the outdoors, and a little getaway for very little money! It will be our 5th year going and our family always looks forward to it!
I'm hoping to take some pica that I can post on my next blog entry...whenever that is.
Off to pick up my sweet little boy from his night at PowerUP, where he is learning about respect tonight! I'm usually there with the grade 1 girls, but Liv came go
E with a low-grade fever tonight ao she couldn't go. Praying for her to feel better for the weekend!
We are getting ready to take the kids to our yearly family getaway to Jack Frost Festival. It is a wonderful outside event (with indoor events too), but it is basically a great place to enjoy your family, the outdoors, and a little getaway for very little money! It will be our 5th year going and our family always looks forward to it!
I'm hoping to take some pica that I can post on my next blog entry...whenever that is.
Off to pick up my sweet little boy from his night at PowerUP, where he is learning about respect tonight! I'm usually there with the grade 1 girls, but Liv came go
E with a low-grade fever tonight ao she couldn't go. Praying for her to feel better for the weekend!
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