Riding in the Car with Boys

This week, I've had the opportunity to take my boys to school each morning.  Normally, I have one child with me, and Jeff takes the other two.  The drop off and pick up lines are not in my daily schedule.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my extra time in the car with the boys.  We've laughed and carried on.  We've discussed my sensitivity to the bass in TobyMac's music.  My boys have sang along with said TobyMac music.  We've talked about the day ahead and wished one another a great day at school. We've even improvised to make sunglasses for the blazing morning sun!

As I've enjoyed my time with the boys, my heart has cringed at what I've seen going on in other vehicles.  I've seen parents engrossed in their cell phones, either taking calls, checking Facebook, or playing games.  I've seen children with headphones on.  I've seen little to no interaction in many of these vehicles.

And as a teacher mama, I say this.... Parents, cherish these extra minutes with your children.  Take time to talk to them about their day.  Take time to laugh.  Pray with them.  Make these last few minutes enjoyable so your children get out of that car knowing they are cherished by you, that you'll miss them, that you wish them a fabulous day, and you can't wait to see them after school.

Our babies grow way to fast.  Society pushes and pulls at them.  They are involved in many extra curricular activities.  Our time with our children dwindles each day.  We need to make the most of each moment, even that extra 10 minutes in the car.

My challenge to you is this.....next week while you are chauffeuring your littles to and from school, put the cell phone away. Have your kids take the headphones off. Then talk. Sing. Pray. Be silly.  Spend time with your children.  I promise that you won't be sorry you did.

Yes, We "Elf on The Shelf"

I've seen the debates (ahem, memes) about Elf on the Shelf.  I mean really.....using an elf to make your kids behave before Christmas???? What about the belt on the shelf? Or just straight up do what you're supposed to do.

Yeah.  That stuff is out there.

But yes, at my house, we have an elf.

World, meet Bill Skylander Hotdog.

Bill is a great addition to our family Christmas traditions.

When we adopted him last year, we were afraid we'd made a mistake.  After going in to Target to shop, we came out to see him buckled in the seat.  The little sucker was already into mischief less than 2 hours after his adoption.

But Bill is also lots of fun. This guy....you never know what he will do.

Bill is a fun fella. Full of mischief, but we anxiously wait to see what he will do next.

We don't press the issue of him tattling back to Santa about the kids' behavior.  They know our expectations, and they know the consequences.  We don't need Bill for that, or a belt for that matter.

Whether Bill comes for a few days and hangs out our house or Santa comes down our chimney (Yes! We have a fireplace this year!), the most important thing about Christmas is remembering why we celebrate.

In my family, we celebrate Christmas because of Jesus.

He is our focus of our Christmas celebrations.  When we give gifts, as our children receive gifts, we keep in mind that Jesus is the greatest gift of all.  Our kids know that Bill and Santa are fun, but Jesus is the whole reason we have Christmas.

And we celebrate Him every day.

We talk about Jesus every day.

We read about Jesus every day.

We pray to God every day thanking Him for Jesus.

Jesus is the center of our family, not just at Christmas, but every day.

So, yes, we "elf on the shelf," but most importantly, we live for Jesus.

Chore Charts

To keep the house picked up, teach some responsibility, and keep my sanity for the summer, the big boys now have chore charts. I found these customizable/printable charts at iMom. 

We haven't set a specific number of stickers or anything, but the boys know they will be able to earn some extra fun stuff by being more responsible.  This week is sort of a trial since I am still working. We will see how they do, and then pick some rewards.

Do you use chore charts at home?

 

One of these days

I'm going to write a book. You see, my life is worth living, so I have plenty I could say. Like:

The logic of a three year old says, that "Whatever," is a bad word, but "Whatever you say," is ok regardless of the sarcasm added to either.

The logic of a seven year old believes it is better to let a sore, loose tooth dangle back and forth for days than to pull it and deal with 30 seconds of bleeding regardless of any deal that could be made with parents, grandparents, and the Tooth Fairy.

The logic of a fourth grader is that, "I'll use my teacher's example for my answer so I will get a good grade." Low and behold said teacher refuses to accept the work. Said student then changes one word. Therefore, we now know that "the giraffe has a special adaptation called a death roll. When in danger, the giraffe bites its predator and rolls on the ground with it until the predator dies. The giraffe can then eat the other animal." Same student on previous test draws and labels the life cycle of a baby. Although incorrect (again), the student did know that it is better to get pregnant as an adult. Teacher still doesn't quite know what the arrow coming from between the pregnant person's legs was. She was too afraid to ask.

When talking about marriage, a 9 year old student says, "I can't get married. I'm not 15 yet! And then I can't get married until I have kids." Um, yea....

I know that these things are great!

How do I know? I've washed one in the washing machine, of course! The seven year old owner had no idea where it was. Yet, Mom heard it clanging against the dryer as she threw wet clothes inside. With water dripping from the flash drive, Dad placed it in the refrigerator to draw the moisture out. Mom was amazed at that trick (Dad is so cool)! After a few hours, the flash drive was as good as new. The seven year old owner was VERY lucky!!!!

We have a visitor in our home. You may remember hearing about him in the Bible. Lazarus is leaning against the wall in my utility room. You see, he has had difficulty being raised from the dead lately. Hopefully, he will be fixed soon. His getting a bit creepy watching me come in the back door in the afternoons.

Parents DON'T know how to drive. I don't know how we ever made it anywhere before our children were born. These back seat drivers are great. They know exactly how to get to school, church, and the Chinese Restaurant. Parents should ask directions before leaving the drive way. Seems children are quite amazed, however, when parents go an alternate route and still get to the intended destination!

Former neighbor almost calls police on possible burglar. She puts down the phone when she realizes it is just the dog peeking over the 6 foot fence. Another neighbor asks, "Did you hear that old woman outside about midnight banging a pan? She is crazy!" Embarrassed dog owner replies, "That was our dog throwing his water bowl against the patio door and on the patio." Dog owner must get out of bed one night to toss a metal chair over the fence because the dog is tossing it around.


You see, I have so much I could say. I'll stop here for now, but I could always go on!

His Word Wednesday

The words of the Lord are pure words,
like silver refined in an earthen furnace.
Psalm 12:6


Today, I'd like to share a recent devotion that touched my heart. It came from my The Word for You Today devotional.

Parents are the pride of their children.
Proverbs 17:6

The famous biographer Boswell tells of a day when his busy father took him fishing. Later when he read what his dad wrote in his journal, he was devastated: "Went fishing with my son; a day wasted!"If you want your children to be proud of you:

1. Protect them. Guard them physically when they are young and emotionally as they mature. Teach your son to respect girls, and interview the guys who date your daughter. Be sure to check out what they (and you) watch on TV, especially the increasingly dangerous influences of the Internet.

2. Listen to them. Don't be like the kid who told his mom, "I'm gonna be just like dad when I grow up. My eyebrows are already growing together, and when people talk to me, I don't listen." Listening builds a lifetime bridge to your child's heart.

3. Be affectionate with the them. Nothing builds security and self-worth in your kids like holding them. If you grew up without expressions of affection, make sure the don't.

4. Discipline them. But go one step further, model self-discipline in your own life. don't just preach, live it!

5. Be fun to be around. Show your children your lighter side. Don't be so preoccupied with work or church that you're a bore. "A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance" (Proverbs 15:13).

6. Walk the walk. Former atheist Lee Strobel says, "When I became a Christian, my five year old daughter said, 'Mommy, I want God to do for me what He's done for daddy,'" and she gave her life to Jesus. Make Christ attractive to your children, and they will be drawn to Him.


Here is what I would like for you to day. Please share a recent devotional or scripture that has touched your heart. You can leave a comment or create a post on your blog and then add your site to the MckLinky so other visitors can read it. Thanks for sharing His Word on this Wednesday.