Tweens and Teens

All of a sudden I realize, that tweenitis is upon us.  Now, there was a time, that preteen type behavior did not hit until closer to 12. These days tweenitis begins much earlier than it did back in my day.  Back in my day, no I am not getting old or middle aged.

The definition of a tween as per google:

A tween is a child between the ages of 9 and 12. A tween is no longer a little child, but not quite a teenager. While a tween is not yet in the midst of adolescence, he or she will face a variety of obstacles in the next few years including transitioning from elementary school to middle school, approaching puberty, increasing responsibilities, increasing amounts of homework, and exposure to dangerous behaviors by their peers including drugs, sex, and more.

Now today while in the Christian bookstore, let me plug Lifeway Christian Stores here, LOVE that store. And yes I used love because the sheer help their products have been to me.  I found a book called : Mom's Ultimate Guide to the Tween Girl World by Nancy Rue. She sets the time for tween age as 8 to 12.  I agree with her. My sweet daughter can be wonderfully all little girl one day and the next seem like a moody teen girl. She is already being faced with decisions I never dreamed of at 8.  Her "best friend" told her yesterday she wouldn't be friends with her anymore, because she was treating her like a baby.  I said, Well, what happened Hannah? Hannah said "Mommy I have no idea, she just, like that, didn't want to be my friend".  I talked with her about how kids will do that and that we must forgive and be that person's friend regardless.  But really "mean girls" at 8 years old. It blows my mind.  Hannah is a sweet, compassionate little girl. I just pray that she never treats another child the way she was treated yesterday. Peer pressure at 8 to wear ear rings, like or not like a certain pop star. How it isn't cool to wear some things but it okay to wear others.  Is it just me, or  does it appear that the waves of tween/teen times is about to crash over this house.  I do not remember it being quite so intense at age 8.  I played with everyone and while I had a "best friend" she happened to be my sister. My friends at school were all equally liked and I played with whomever would play. Now in the 2nd grade, they are already dividing into cool, not   so cool and who knows what else. Where Hannah, falls....I have no idea.  I hope I can teach her, that a girl needs to be herself and be proud of who God has made her to be.

Christopher being well into his tween years seems to be weathering it pretty well. Although, apparently he has had to ask some guy questions of his father, that Mommy is not privy to know.  I find it cute and precious that he knows he can go to his Daddy with these questions. I sure do NOT know how to answer.  The fact that puberty, is just around the corner has sent  me running to the Word of God and Christian books about teens and tweens. I now have in my possession a book about boys and dealing with these difficult years and one for girls.

Jenny is still refreshingly, completely and utterly all LITTLE girl with her cute pronunciations, and view of the world as filled with sunshine and rainbows.  My older two are all too aware that life is not all sunshine, rainbows and butterflies. They are already facing things that requires them to be secure in themselves and in their Lord. My job as a mother, is to guide them.  I am not afraid on one hand, but on the other, the responsibility sends me quaking to my knees to cry out FATHER, help me know what to do.  He is my source and the one who can  help me, and  help me to help them weather this next chapter in life. Puberty...it isn't here yet..but it headed this way full force.

I pray that as a mother I can be a shining example of womanhood to both my son and my daughters. Both of them need to see me as a Godly, prayerful woman, who seeks God for EVERY situation.  They need to see me being a wife to Mike that is supportive and loving and prayerful. In seeing that, they will learn what they need for the future.  I can not do this in my own strength...so I look to my Redeemer from whom my help comes.  I also pray that as a mother, I will use wisdom as to when to let go and little and when to hold on tight and hold them back for stuff they are not ready to face yet.

Now...off to read and get ready for my kids to come home and spend some quality time, planting seeds and watering them so  that my children can blossom into who God is making them to be.

Blessings abound in the quietest of ways

When life seems to be throwing things at you left and right....
and it seems like nothing is turning out quite right...
God has a way of speaking blessing in quiet, gentle ways
like sun warmed breezes on beautiful spring days
like the sound of joy
echoing from your girls and boy
like the feel of your sweetheart's hand
or seeing your child for His Lord take a stand.
It is the sparrow hopping around trusting the creator for his every need




and it is the still quiet voice who whispers the loving instructions we should heed.
Oh what a blessing it is to know His love
and that one day we will bask in eternity above...

You know I was feeling down, frustrated and down right cranky earlier, but just a moment ago, the Lord whispered to my heart, be still and know that I am God.  I know where you are, I know what you feel. I am yours and you are mine.  Rest, and enjoy all the little blessings that surround you because they add up to the mighty things God is doing, has done and will always do in your life.

God is good all the time
and all the time

GOD IS GOOD!

The Perfect Mother

My little girl said to me…Mommy you are the best mommy in the world to me

I looked at her and felt the lack of all the things that I could be..

I know my mistakes, my stumbles and my falls all the things I am yet to be

I kept my thoughts to myself as she put her sweet lips up for a kiss

Love light filled her eyes and joy filled love I could not miss.

I whispered to my Father above…Lord, what she says is not me

And He lovingly whispered back..perfection is not in what you do

It is not in what you say

But it is in the love you willingly give when you are tired.

It is in the times you walk the floor holding your children close

Praying that this bout of cold will end.

It is the times you sew on a project, due the next day

Or go without when your child needs something.

Perfection is in the way you love your child mistakes and all

Because she is the perfect child for you and you are the perfect mother for her.

Perfection is, knowing you make mistakes and being willing to learn and grow

And striving to be all you can be, even when you have felt like giving up.

Perfection in motherhood is not about never making mistakes…

It is about loving your child through the mistakes and learning

That love transcends all time, space and errors…

Perfection is those times your cry out to me and say

I cannot do this another day

And lean on me, to hold you up.

Perfection is knowing you want to do better and trying to do so

And loving your children and teaching them to never give up…

Perfection in motherhood is knowing you can’t be perfect but trusting

You have and will do your best to love and teach your children

To rise above their mistakes and believe they can be all they can be..

In other words, my child, Perfection is what you see mirrored in your child’s eyes.

Because she loves you just as you are…just as I do.

By Thelma Strobl  February 24, 2012(Copyright 2012..Thelma Strobl)

Dedicated to my 3 children who are the perfect children for me.

Concussions, pop stars and Mommy adventures

Life is always busy, especially, now that all 3 children are in school. I know I have had those busy phases of motherhood...infancy, toddler hood, potty training and all of that. However, this is a new kind of busy.  All 3 kids have homework, places to go, people to say, ideas, drama........drama and more drama.  There is truly never a dull moment in my Mommy adventures.

The other day at school, during a practice for a performance, Christopher fell from the stage and hit his head.  I did find out, some other kids were goofing off and he got knocked off. The teacher actually said the words, Your son was behaving himself, he did not cause this".  I was very glad. She went on to tell me that my son, has  great character and that all 3 of my kids shine in attitude, behavior and character. Now, while I know they are great kids, I was so blessed by her words.  I am over come with joy that my children's character shines like the sun.  It goes to show you that all those JBQ study sessions, praying with them, teaching them, disciplining them and working together as a team WORK!  It makes all the hard moments worthwhile. What they are learning is sinking into their hearts and I am so thankful.

(Here he is trying to block the light in the ER because it hurt his eyes..it is called being photo-phobic..i.e. light sensitive and is one of many possible symptoms of a concussion.)
(And even if you are 11, when you don't feel well, you need your favorite blanket and bear...)

Hannah had an assignment to give an oral report about a famous person. She chose Selena Gomez.  She really worked hard on it. She arranged the poster herself, showing she has a sense of style and an eye for what looks good.  I am proud of her. She dressed as her star and got to wear make up for the day. She was beyond excited. Although, she gave a heavy sigh when I told her not to get used to it.  She wants to grow up too fast.

(Hannah dressed up as Selena Gomez)

Jenny is growing too. She met a friend, who happens to be a boy going into the school yesterday.  They took each other's hand and walked down the hallway together, with her saying, bye Mom...I love you. They grow up and you watch pieces of your heart walk right into the future. You see glimpses of who they will be one day.

What I see, are 3 children, filled with compassion and integrity and I am proud. I am awed by what God is doing in them and through them. How, I as a mother, nurture that...gets scary sometimes.  The responsibility God has placed on me is enormous. However, I know I can lean on HIM and get all I need.

Life keeps me busy....every day is a Mommy adventure of some kind.  Times change, seasons change, people change...and we have to rely on the one who NEVER changes. He is eternally our King and our God, upholding us, guiding us, leading us, loving us.  He is with us in the grand adventure of life..making it all worth while, even if it does not feel that way sometimes. God is my anchor, my rock, my refuge and I run into His arms and find..that this adventure is filled with peace and joy and love.

New year......what will 2012 bring

New Year......it always brings resolutions or the attempt at resolutions.  I am hoping I can lose some weight and gain a job.  2011 had its joys, sorrows, hardships and trials.  However, through it all one thing remained steady.......my Lord.  As for my husband and children...and self.....we grew, we made mistakes, we learned, we laughed and we loved.  We prayed, we cried, we rejoiced, we played and we planned. Life...it is made up of all of these things.  So what will 2012 bring?  More of the same, joys, sorrows, hopes realized, hopes and dreams that change, a little of this and a little of that. Yet one thing will remain the same.......my Lord.  HE never changes. His promises are yes and amen.  He is the rock, our foundation, the one and only constant we can count on. The economy, politics, gas prices, etc etc...all change, with ups and downs like the proverbial roller coaster, but my Lord.......He is never changing, ever loving, ever merciful, ever the peace giver, the provider.  Will I accomplish EVERYTHING I want this year, most likely not, BUT my Lord......He will grow me, change me, mold me and make me.  However, I must yield to the growing, the molding, the making, and the changing.  HE knows what I will face this year. I trust HIM.

I thank God for my family, the love in our home, the warmth in our hearts.  What we have far outweighs what the world has or wants.  Our children have grown in grace, beauty, and in the Lord.  As their bodies grow, their minds expand and their faith continues to blossom. I excitedly see, the hopes and the dreams for the future.  I want to see life like they see it, full of possibility instead of maybes.  Full of promises, instead of possibly.  They see life as an adventure, another day to find and discover what life and the Lord holds for them. Do they voice this? No but they live it.  Every day is a new day..ready for discovery, ready to live, ready to find joy in the journey.

My dreams for this family is to grow in Jesus and in our love for each other. Love is ever growing, ever changing, ever deepening.  I commit to this family to be the wife, mother, God has called me to be. Will I do it perfectly? No but my God, my King is my strength, my source the one on whom I can depend.  The one who will help me walk the walk, talk the talk and be there to pick me up when I fall down. We ALL fall down, we all make mistakes...the key is getting up and moving on in Jesus. Letting Him,  hold our hand, pick us up, dust us off and teach us how to avoid the pitfalls.  Not one of us, no not one, can walk it perfectly, BUT everyone of us can rely on our Redeemer, our Refuge to be our ever present help.

My prayer is that I will find more in Jesus this year than ever before.  That others will see more Jesus in me. That I will make a difference in the life of someone and that I will live to serve Jesus and others. That I will think what can I do for someone today that will make their life better?

So whatever comes, whatever winds blow...I will trust on the one who holds my hand because He knows my tomorrow and His plans are written already in His Word:

Jeremiah 29:11
New International Version (NIV)
¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future

Christmas joys and "magic"

Oh what joy is to be found, as we gather the children round, for cuddles and stories and family time.  The niblets are growing up so fast, but Christmas is a time, it is okay to be a child. It is okay to believe in surprises and magic and wonder.  Excitement and expectation fills the air.

And wasn't it just the same so very long ago, that night in the stable.  Mary knew what the angel had told her. She pondered those things in her heart and was overwhelmed by what the angel revealed to her about her unborn son.  Expectation filled that stable, joy and wonder and magic in a manner of speaking. Because, birth is magical, the way a baby grows within the mother's womb, from one little tiny microscopic part to a child fully formed and beautiful to behold. It is magical. It is wondrous.

We are all fearfully and wonderfully made, knit together by God's hands in our mother's womb. How much more miraculous, the Christ child being formed within the virgin's womb?  He moved, He kicked and caused His mother the pains and aches of any expectant mother. His mother bore him with blood, sweat and tears...she bore love......love that would one day save us from our sins.  When He gave forth His first cry....angels sang the story.  How much more magical and awesome can it be?

So Christmas to me, still holds the wonder of that night. I see it in the eyes of my children as they sing Away in a Manger.

I heard it in the voice of my Jenny as she said Jesus was the real reason for Christmas and how much she loves Jesus.

I see it in the kindness of my Christopher,  helping me do household chores as we prepare for the challenges ahead of my surgery coming up.

I feel it in the arms of my Hannah as she says Mommy you are my best Christmas present when she hugs me tight.

Magic.....is not always the thing people whisper about as being bad and mysterious, but it is in the way love gave birth to freedom and brought us hope.  Love, magic, wonder, awe...that is Christmas.  Because without the love, wonder, awe and magic brought to us in a stable from the birth of one little infant boy...there would be no freedom and hope in our world.  How God did it.....still awes me.

So Merry Christmas from my house to yours and remember HE is the love and magic and hope of Christmas.

The Crossing--book review and comments

I give this book a top notch rating.  This book kept me up to read it and had me not wanting to put it down.  I thought I had it all figured out but the plot had some twists and turns I did not expect.  I love it when a book lets me get some of my thoughts to the plot correct, but some that totally surprise me.

The story shows that while pain and memories of awful things in your past can effect you for years to come,there is ONE from whom you can gain healing.  In facing, the pain and sorrow, instead of burying it, you let it go, forgive and heal.  There is a purpose to letting go and forgiveness. It isn't to say the person who did wrong is right. It is to set you free from the hold the act or acts had upon your soul. To let go....is to soar in freedom and peace.

This was a great book and I would love to read more by this author.

While thinking about the above review...it made me thing about how there is nothing in this life that can destroy us.  We are able to overcome way more than we think.  Our God is able to heal in ways we can not even imagine...but we have to let Him and allow the pain that comes with revealing the scars. Healing often brings pain, as we stretch and exercise the scars. When God heals us, He lets us feel the pain, so that we can appreciate the freedom.  Sounds, unfair? Not so, for He bore more pain on HIM for us that we can ever imagine.