Bringing up girls........

I've been reading a book by James Dobson called, "Bringing Up Girls".  I have a long way to go (who has time to read with two pint sized power houses around?????)  But a few things have caught my eye lately.

"Children are a gift from God and we are stewards of their welfare.  Training up our daughters in this sense implies helping them navigate the cultural minefields hat lie in their paths....it means instilling within them an appreciation for truthfulness, trustworthiness, self-discipline, self-control, generosity, and sweetness of spirit.  It means teaching them modesty, morality, and manners.  That is just the beginning, which is why parenthood is such a daunting responsibility."

Daunting responsibility?  Exactly.  It can overwhelm me.  How do I instill all these core values that I want them to learn?  How do I not jump on everything they do to allow them to experience the world and let natural consequences take hold?  One thing is for sure---I have a lot to learn.  Luckily I have the grace of Jesus to help me and I'm glad that I also have a husband who is willing to let God guide us.  We have a long way to go to learn in giving our parenting over to the Lord.......but we're working on it.  We're so thankful to have found our new church that is just pouring the love of God into our girls.  They talk about Kids World every day---yes EVERY day.  And although it wasn't long ago that Brooke cried to go each week.......she now "pretend calls" Ashley's teacher (Mr Steve) Sunday mornings to tell him to wake up because we're on our way.  And we're blessed to have Jenni in our lives pouring the love of Jesus into the girls every day.  And the fact that her care includes trips to "bible study play time" and "bible study class" each week in addition to the preschool--------our girls are just getting "loaded up on God"and I can't think of anything better that I could ask for.

It's been a crazy couple of weeks........here are some pictures of the ladybug extravaganza!!!

So yes Lord, I need your help to raise these girls!!  Please continue to guide our thoughts, words, and actions in how we parent these two amazing and beautiful gifts from you!!!

Mini Me

Almost two years ago I was very surprised to meet Ashley.  Not because her birth was unexpected---the C-section had been on the books for weeks.  More so, because Ben and I both were almost 100% convinced that SHE was really a HE.  I had felt the entire pregnancy that it was a boy.  Although we suspected our ultrasound tech "slipped" when referring the baby as "her" we still were confident that we were about to meet Josh on that Friday morning........boy, were we surprised to hear, "It's a GIRL!"  I was immediately overcome with emotion as most moms are and couldn't believe I was about to embark on raising sisters.

Although Ashley slept the first six months of her life away, it didn't take long for us to realize that she was my "mini me" in so many ways.  Now that she is about to turn two years old, I truly am at a loss to describe how much she's changed my life.  She has brought so much spunk, attitude, and trouble to it!!!!  But all in a good way.  She really is the most hysterical person I've ever met (and while I think it's adorable now, I know when the teachers start calling I won't think it's so funny).  The way she can look at me and smile just melts me heart.........or tells me to start singing to her.......and which song it can or cannot be......or tells me to stop singing.........or the way she runs through the house with her arms behind her as if she's a ski jumper about to take flight.........or the way she tells her Bible verses and sings "This Little Light of Mine"....or the way she looks at me and says, "Love you mommy". 

Gosh, my little Bo-bash is becoming a big kid.  She filled a hole in my heart I didn't even know I had.  I love you bo-bash!! Have a wonderful birthday!!!

We are blessed

I confess that there are times that I don't really think about how blessed I am.  Do you ever feel that way?  You're just stumbling along take life for granted and then all of a sudden you realize that God has really been good to you.  Lately I've had several of those moments. 

It started when our wonderfully amazing babysitter got sick and all of a sudden she could no longer do anything.  We have felt so bad for her and have continually been praying for her.  But recently I stopped to really, really think about what I would do if I was sick for 5 weeks and unable to care for my kids, spend time with Ben, go to work, and just enjoy life.  Gosh, would my faith be strong enough to keep me going?  Jenni has been such an encouragement to me as she has weathered this storm and continued to focus on God's healing power.........

.......then there is Craig and Jeanne dealing with the adoption of Kelencia and being forced to send their beautiful, amazing, wonderful daughter back to Haiti until the process is completed.  I don't know how I would have the strength to do that.  How do you put your child on a plane to return to a 3rd world country for an unknown amount of time??  And still, Jeanne presses on and all the while, praising God and being reminded of his faithfulness.  If I was in that situation, would my faith be strong enough to keep me going?

........and friends of friends gave birth to their first child yesterday who was born with a heart defect and there is apparently a very small chance that he will survive.  I was reading the mom's blog and the entire time she is pointing to God and believing in the power for a miracle and trusting in Him.  Pregnancy and the emotions that come with it are hard enough.........if I was in that situation, would my faith be strong enough to keep me going?

God is good and I know that Philippians 4:13 is true......I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.  This has been Brooke's memory verse the past month at Kids World.  Her and Ashley even have the hand motions down to put with the verse.  Today I reflected on what the verse is really telling us.  Yes, God will be with us in any crisis we might find ourselves in.  He doesn't make our problems go away but He will help us navigate through them.  I'm thankful that today I don't have to deal with a crisis.............and for that, and many other reasons, I am BLESSED.