She is so calm

I’m guilty of throwing myself little pity parties just like everyone else. If you say that you have never had that experience, then I’ll just assume to put you on the same shelf as those who claim that they don’t judge people. There is a big difference between the words ‘won’t’ and ‘don’t’. We all are tempted. Sometimes we cave in, sometimes we don’t.

Contentment is something to be learned; it doesn’t happen overnight.  

Scripture says, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”   Philippians 4:11 (Emphasis mine)

I think the problem that we run into is that we try to be content in our own steam. We think, “What is wrong with me?”

Lets look at the whole verse now:

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”  Phillippians 4:11-13

See the difference? I know that I need to be reminded that I don’t lean on myself or depend on me for joy in the storm.

A very important post for women to read: click here

It is only 10:30 am and the day has already been rough.

Reasons for the difficulty:

1. I started the children on the newly tweaked schedule.

2. My attitude stinks.

3. There is an insane amount of housework awaiting me once again (after the weekend).

4. It has been raining a lot, so the children are experiencing cabin fever.

5. There is a pile of ‘just discovered’ potty trainer poop on our living room floor that everyone stepped on and tracked up the stairs.

6. The one year old has been crying since yesterday. At the moment he is calm because he is chewing on a spoon. He’s teething again.

7. I am still finding traces of the previously described bowl movement on everyones feet-including my own.

8. My attitude stinks today. Yes, I know I wrote that twice.

It is really a prayer matter. Life goes on and on and on whether I complain or dig in my heels…whether I nag or scream. I can stay on the rollercoaster quietly even if I don’t enjoy it; waiting for the the loop to be finished…or I can scream, “I want to get off!” at the top of my lungs to no avail. I can go on strike or ask for some perspective from God. I have the choice at this moment to turn everything around. I may have no control over the events of the day, but I can skip out on the temptation to throw a pity party. I throw those parties because of pride anyway-It is a self centered emotion.

“Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.” Proverbs 13:10
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galations 6:9

Children are so creative. 

I remember being a pre-teen and saying, “I don’t want to grow up. Adults are so cynical.”

At dinner time my second oldest son pushed sliced cucumbers through the tips of his fingers until they turned into ‘rings’. He was so excited, he showed the entire family. He then ate the cucumbers; nibbling each and every corner until they fell off his digits.

Children see life so differently than we do. Yes, they are just starting out in life and a lot of things will happen to them that will make them conform…I just never want to loose those wide opened eyes of wonder. I hope that my boys keep a little bit of that.

What about you? Is there anything you need to see through the ‘eyes of a child’ in your life?

I have been outside for the past few days pulling up weeds, redefining previous garden boundary lines were the ground has sucuumbed to grass and planting cooler weather crops. The barn cats have been eating just about everything I’ve planted. They need roughage for their diets, I agree, but they could eat the 6 acres of grass our landlord owns.

I’m glad that the weather is getting warmer. The children have certainly exhibited signs of cabin fever. Their cabin fever has exhibited signs of yelling on my part. Below is a pre-spring excerpt of a typical conversation with my six year old:

The boy: “Mom, there’s nothing to do.” He dramatically slumps down on the couch.

Me: “Find something to do.” As if that sentence will end the conversation and stimulate action…right?

The boy: “I can’t, because I can’t think of anything.” 

Me: “You’re six years old. You have had six years to learn how to entertain yourself. Find something.”

The boy: “Like what?”

Me: “I don’t know! Something! What about all your toys from Christmas and your birthday? Go find one.”

The boy: “Which one should I pick? I can’t think of what to pick. Which one would you pick?”

Obviously the bordem discussion continues on. Our six year old posesses the ability to talk persistently until the patience in his opposition completely wears out. It’s an amazing talent.

Enjoy your spring!

<—summer night star wars battle. Don’t try this at home.

Just some random thoughts here…

My nine month old is walking. I can’t believe it. I think that I am in a time warp. My other boys all started walking later…so the other day, I put the nine month old up to the sink to wash his hands-standing on a stool, of course. I immediately realized that he is to short to reach the sink; even with a stool 12 inches high.

My mindhas him older then he is, because of all he can do. He is trying each day to keep up with all his older brothers. He is also a talker. He babbles on and on. Most of the time it sounds like he is yelling. Were did he learn to yell? Hmmm…

Our two year old is potty training. Every time Mr. two is on the potty, peanut (the 9 month old-if this is your first time reading my blog) comes crawling over at lightspeed to grab the item that my two year old’s body just rejected. Yeah, yuk. A whole lot of soap is being used up in this joint.

I have been de-cluttering. I went to a seminar on the 8th of this month. The seminar speakers discussed some different organizing methods. One method was from flylady. I hear so much about the flylady program. The ladies teaching the seminar brought the book that the founder of flylady wrote for anyone interested. I will be doing a book review later, to let you know what I thought about the practices and principles described in the Sink Reflections book. If it works, the proof will be in the pud…I mean pictures.

If you have read the flylady book I am referring to, leave a comment to let me know what you thought.

I’ve got to go!

Happy Saturday!