Can it Be?

Can it truly be that my little one is a year old today? It seems only yesterday that I was waddling around with her inside! She is a sweet, funny, smart, talking, walking toddler now! Where did this past year go? She is definitely an Alaskan baby too! Her very first word was “bear” and said with a growling tone! Makes me laugh every time I hear it!

Happy Birthday Sweet Bella Boo! We love you!

Patience, An Exercise in Self-Control

Homeschooling brings many ups and downs.  There are the days that are full of joy because your children seem to really grasp the concepts you are teaching and then there are days when you wonder where the children have placed their brains!  The concepts that seemed so easily grasped the day before have overnight turned into what seems to be a foreign language.  There are days when the children seem to have forgotten things that we have been working on for years!  It is easy to get discouraged, frustrated, and angry.  I have found myself in this situation more times than I would like to admit.

I have often been told that I am a patient person.  I beg to differ with those who say that.  In fact, I think it is one of my weakest areas!  I may indeed be more patient than some but it does not necessarily make me a patient person.  It is something that is a constant battle for me.  I want things done the instant I think of them and I want them done correctly.  I want my children to understand and remember everything the first time I teach it.  I do not want them to not understand.  I do not want to struggle to get the point in a manner they understand, I simply want them to understand.

This sounds a bit unrealistic doesn’t it.  This sadly enough is something I struggle with daily.  Today has been no different.  I have a very grumpy little one who just is being difficult.  I have a kindergartner who just cannot seem to remember that the number ten is written with a one and a zero.  I have an older child who is questioning everything I say.  I want to scream at the top of my lungs, “Don’t question–just do!”,  “Quit grumping!”, and “One and zero, One and zero, how many times do we have to go over this!”.

I had a moment in the midst of this today where I paused, took a deep breath, and heard the Lord whisper, “Self-Control.”

I did not yell at my children.  I dealt with them calmly and kindly.  I once again nicely said, “Remember one and zero side by side make 10.”, “Please don’t argue, I really just need you to help me out with this.”, “Come here, I think you need a hug and a cuddle.”.  Chaos was once again averted!  Peace dwells in the house.

If you had seen this scene you might say I was a patient person.  I was indeed exercising patience however it was more than that.  Remember what I said the Lord taught me today?  Patience does not happen alone.  Self-control plays a bit part.  I had to conscienceless make the decision to be patient.  I had to control my urge to be impatient and too loose my temper.  Thankfully, today, I exercised self-control.  That unfortunately is not always the case.  Exercise is not always easy, it is hard work.  It can be tiring!  However, the more we exercise the easier things become.  The more I choose to exercise self-control in  this area of patience the easier it is to do it again.

Then it occurred to me.   How many times does God exercise self-control and patience toward me?  How many times has the Lord had to say to me, “Remember………”, “Please don’t argue I need you to obey.”,”Come unto me.”?  More times than again I would like to admit!  I am so thankful that I did not receive the angry, “Don’t argue, quit grumping, how  many times do I have to go over this!!” from my Lord.

God truly is a loving Father who shows us how to deal with our own children.  He teaches me to love, to be kind, to be patient, and to exercise self-control.  I need only to be obedient and turn to him when I am weak!

Thank you Lord for using the struggles of my day to grow me more into your likeness.  Help me each day to exercise self-control to be patient.

Three Years Ago Today……

This little bundle of joy was born! She was one of our more traumatic births and gave us a big scare in her first two weeks of life but God is so very good! Here she is a beautiful, healthy, BIG girl now!  Happy Birthday Sweetheart!  We love you!

How Great A Love

As I sat cuddling my 2 month old this morning I was again reminded of the great love that the Lord has for each of his children.  Something I have done with each of my children is to sit and sing to them.  I will sing to them and put their name into what ever I am singing.  I have made up many tunes with the names of my children as the lyrics.  I was singing to my sweet new one this morning.  Her belly was full, her diaper was dry, and she was snuggled into my arms.  There is nothing better in my opinion.  I sang to her placing not only her name into the song but her nickname and the words I love you.  I stopped singing for a moment and looked in her eyes and said, “Mommy loves you.”  The biggest grin you could image spread across her face. I waited until the smile was gone and only a look of contentment remained and repeated those words which brought joy to her.  The smile returned.  I did this several times.  It brings so much joy to my heart to know that the knowledge of the love I have for her brought joy to her little being as well.  She is only two months old but she understands that she is greatly loved and it fills her with joy.

What a great lesson God taught me this morning through one so little.  She made me contemplate the love that my Heavenly Father has for me.  Just as I sang to my daughter her name I must remember that the Lord knows me AND knows me by name!  Does that bring me the kind of pure joy that I noticed in my daughter’s eyes?  It should!  Do I realize the magnitude of the joy it brings my Heavenly Father when I am absorbed with joy at the knowledge of his love?  Do you know this great and almost inexplicable love and joy? Do you ever meditate upon it? What is your response to this amazing gift?

13 Things I Love About Having a Newborn

Thirteen Things I Love About Having a Newborn

1. Sweet new baby smell.
2. The softest skin to touch.
3. Tiny fingers, toes, and nose.
4. Cuddling
5. Seeing glimpses of her daddy in her.
6. Nursing and the bond that is formed.
7. Watching her personality bloom.
8. Her dependence upon me, she won’t always need me like she does now.
9. Little baby noises.
10. Baby smiles are the best!
11. Snuggling (I know this is the same as cuddling but it really is the best!)
12. The newness.
13. Knowing that God saw fit to bless me in such an amazing way with another child!

Show & Tell — New Baby

Earlier this week I shared about our new arrival giving photos and praises, HERE and HERE. I just could not think of anything better to show and tell this week though other than our precious new baby! So here are a few more adorable photos!

For more show & tell visit Canadagirl!