Three Sets of Eyes

Titus 2:3-5

 ³The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
 ⁴That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
 ⁵To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

As a young mother, these verses have repeatedly been read over and over time and time again. Three little sets of eyes are watching and learning from ME! This past week I lost my grandpa. When losing a loved one, you look back and reflect on the memories shared with that person. My grandparents were extremely loving and kind-hearted towards children. This is a good thing, because they had 11 children, 25 grandchildren, and 20+ great grandchildren. The way two people's lives can reflect on how these little ones grow. It starts with me right now to decide how I, myself, want to impact our three girls in the way they develop. How do I show them the path by my actions? When I am gone what will they remember me by? What type of mother am I to them? My goal is to show them to Learn and Love as a "Family". God gave us his Son, so it is my responsibility to pour my love on my children as He did on us. How will my children's lives impact other because of "MY" example.
 
We normally do not do any work on Fridays, but we did some catch-up work to make up for time the time we lost on Monday and Tuesday due to the funeral of my Grandpa. Karlie was napping when I went in to get her, to do her school. She literally jumped up, still with her eyes half shut, went to the table with her pencil and was ready to begin...Really? This right here is something I will never forget or take advantage of. She is an eager learner and absolutely can not get enough of school work. The Lord has blessed me so much with her, because if it weren't for her I am sure we would not be having "School at Home." I have learned so much these past months in schooling Karlie. Her own personal characteristics are cherished by me, because really, I am the one being taught! Watching her, drives me more to better myself to help sculpt the person she is becoming. I could not imagine passing this precious time up.

I pray......and ask for prayer to continue guiding her through this journey into girlhood, to provide her with knowledge from His word, and More-So to lead her by example!

Date Night/Family Night

James and I have absolutely no problem spending our "Date Night" as a family. One of our top date night choices, is to go to Barnes'N'Noble. We grab a coffee, the girls get a special drink or a dessert of their choice, and then we look at books. I really enjoyed this evening. Summer nights are cooling down, which can make any night more enjoyable. There is not a bed time, no rush, and knowing the next few days will be spent as a family made this evening extra special. I also love seeing the progress taking place in Karlie's reading skills. She was allowed to choose one book to take home. We have, in the past weeks, been tea partying. Well, we are furthering this fun lesson of girlhood and going to participate in a "Fancy Nancy" tea party at the library in a few weeks with some close friends. She chose another "Fancy Nancy" book. She read while James and I enjoyed our Lattes.  What a GREAT night!

Finally Friday

It is the end of the week-stress free day right? NOT. Just when we think the day will pleasantly perfect, organized, fun-filled, and all the kids will be happy......a bomb goes off. I have certain expectations for my children to meet and today I must say they were not "met". My five year old showed my a part of her stubborn side I have never seen before. After hours of prayer, and patience waiting for the LORD to show me guidance-we finally met an understanding of each other on the same level. She told me later this evening "Mom, I didn't know I had that rule, Im sorry." I asked, "What rule?" "That I just tell you what I feel." (she is very open with her feelings on a day-to-day basis, just when I seem stern with certain situations she goes in her clam shell so to speak) She was just making herself suffer, and was very upset trying to do what I told her to do. I pray God leads me through this stage in this little girl's life to show her, her Mom is on her side, to be their for her, to guide her, and mainly to love her. I lacked support in all these areas today! I will do my best, Lord willing, to better myself at communicating with her. Just one surprisingly rough day will not stop the love between us, by the grace of God, this only has made "US" stronger.

 Positive note of the week...

• "Insect Study"-finishing Metamorphosis of Butterflies, and she chose to start a new study on LadyBugs. 
• We started basic addition with York Peppermint Mini's.
• Finished our 5th Lesson on spelling
• Began Cursive Handwriting.

Kade had an absolute blast running through the sprinklers and water mushrooms. She shows me so many different sides of joyful living I would never experience if she were not in my life. Kade fills my life with SO much laughter. I have to say she has her own personality and no one is like her. She does take after me with her stubbornness, I must say. She will not ever meet me at my level of stubbornism (my own word), only because I'M the mom, but she can sure push me to the tops of these stubborn peaks. (Make sense?) 

Loving this Year

This past week we have had so much fun doing our "girly" thing in school. Karlie was "specially" picked to join a friend at a "My Little Dollhouse" tea party. We spent a day reviewing how a young lady should act and manners she should obey. We had a blast just practicing. Karlie, at five years old, had such a great time poring and serving tea for her and her little sister Lucy. She felt like she was so grown up and mature. It is nice to see this side of her, and definitely was a great bonding time for us. Karlie and I rarely get a relaxed "Mommy and Me" time, so I both enjoyed our tea time. We learn more and make more memories by just loving each other and the simple times we are given together. That day holds a special part in my heart I will never forget with my sweet Karlie.

Taking Life for Granted

Many times we get caught up in our everyday routine, depending on NO obstacles to step in our way. Yesterday, I get home without a running air conditioner! I do thank the Lord it was not a day with temperatures reaching an intolerable high of 120 degrees. I am always expecting my day to go as "I"plan, my children to act as "I" want, and nothing to stop me from "My Routine." I needed a good "talking-to" with God. Praying for guidance for this day and patience as I go about caring for my children in this home with no a.c. I know it was a minor complication, but I still needed guidance from HIM to overcome any frustration from lack of sleep, and tolerating the heat in here. 
   Facing the facts: "We will NEVER find deep satisfaction in this world, without HIM"
Matthew 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 
   No matter how my day seems to be going.....{not "my" way"} God leads me to 
remember : ("Not that i speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippeans 4:11) That's right CONTENTMENT, a huge struggle for me! It is a gift from God I CAN fulfill by finding a real meaning in life, by Christ.

Quote of the day, By Karlie:

"I think Kade is crazy, with crazy hair, because you didn't get an epidural! Right Mom?"

2011

We are in our third week of school. How ever do we maintain a well balanced life with three rapidly changing girls, all three under the age of six? Karlie has been so eager to learn and get her school work done. Kade is beginning her own use of vocabulary, which knowing her personality, you never know what she is going to say next. Lucy just taught herself to roll over, today! This is just a new beginning for our family! To say the least, they grow TOO fast.